THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


m 


7 


.~<r 

'6, 


OLD  WORLD  AND     IE  NEW. 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES 


OF 


HUNTERS, 


IN  THE 


OLD  WORLD  AND  THE  NEW. 


BY  HENEY  C.  WATSON. 

AUTHOK  OF  "  HISTORY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,"  "  CAMP 
FIRES  OF  THE  REVOLUTION,"  &C.,  &C. 


BOSTON: 

KELLEY  &  BROTHER. 

1853. 


ENTERED  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1853,  by 
KELLEY  &  BROTHER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the  Dis 
trict  of  Massachusetts. 


PREFACE. 


THE  life  of  the  hunter  possesses  the  charm,  without  the 
crime,  of  the  warrior's  career.  There  is  a  "  fierce  and  far 
delight,"  in  the  chase,  which  causes  the  heart  to  beat  quick 
and  the  blood  to  bound  in  the  veins.  Yet  this  pleasure  is 
obtained  without  the  infliction  of  injuries  upon  mankind. 
When  the  prize  is  gained,  and  the  hunter  feels  the  proud 
thrill  of  triumph,  there  are  no  groans  of  dying  men,  or  wails 
of  widows  and  orphans  to  mar  his  noble  enjoyment.  We  do 
not  wonder  that  in  all  countries,  savage  and  civilized,  hunting 
is  a  favorite  sport,  as  well  ,as  a  source  of  subsistence. 


IV  PREFACE. 

Thrilling  adventures  are  frequent  in  the  life  of  the  hunter. 
The  perils  to  which  he  is  exposed  during  the  chase,  cannot 
always  be  surmounted  with  ease  and  safety,  and,  occasionally, 
his  own  daring  brings  him  into  straits  from  which  the  most 
consummate  address,  or  the  special  interposition  of  Provi- 
dence, alone  can  extricate  him.  Such  adventures  are  epochs 
to  our  hunters  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Thay  are  often 
heard  to  say  that  an  event  occurred  "  so  many  months  after 
the  bear-fight,  or  a  terrible  contest  with  a  buffalo." 

Although  various  kinds  of  knowledge,  according  to  the 
character  of  the  game,  are  requisite  in  hunters  of  both  the 
Old  World  and  the  New,  the  qualities  of  both  head  and  heart 
absolutely  demanded  are  the  same  every  where.  A  clear, 
cool  head,  quick  to  see  and  cautious  to  devise, — a  firm,  indo- 
mitable heart,  which  no  dangers  can  appal,  are  necessary  to 
the  successful  hunter.  He  may  be  a  bad  shot  or  a  poor 
rider ;  these  defects  he  may  remedy  by  persevering  practice. 
But  a  dull,  slow  head,  or  a  timid  heart,  unfits  him  entirely 
for  the  chase. 

The  hunters  of  our  own  land  will  compare  favorably  with 
any  to  be  found  upon  the  face  of  the  globe.  Those  of  the 
western  prairie  have  hardy  frames,  formed  for  an  existence 
of  strife,  activity,  and  exposure — and  souls  that  actually 
seem  insensible  to  fear.  In  the  midst  of  the  most  imminent 
dangers,  they  retain  their  courage  and  caution,  and  often 
effect  an  escape  when  such  an  achievement  seems  beyond 
human  exertion.  One  of  them  believes  himself  equal  to  two 
grizzly  bears,  or  several  Indians,  and  will  not  hesitate  to 
encounter  them.  These  hunters  are  a  bold,  high-hearted 
race,  and  our  country  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  them. 


PREFACE.  V 

The  object  of  the  present  work  is  to  illustrate  the  perils  of 
the  hunter's  life,  in  the  Old  World  and  the  New.  In  carry- 
ing out  our  design,  we  have  endeavored  to  give,  not  merely  a 
bald  account  of  the  dangers  of  the  chase,  but  such  adventures 
as  show  how  men  may  triumph  over  them,  together  with 
others  that  illustrate  the  different  characteristics  of  hunters 
in  various  parts  of  the  world.  We  believe  that  the  enter- 
tainment and  instruction  to  be  derived  from  such  a  work 
must  be  obvious  to  all.  The  engravings,  which  are  nume- 
rous, will,  it  is  hoped,  increase  the  attractions  of  the  book, 
while  they  serve  to  impress  many  thrilling  scenes  lastingly 
upon  the  memory. 


CONTENTS. 


PREFACE, 8 

TREEING  A  BEAR, 13 

CLOSE  ENCOUNTER  WITH  A  BEAR, 21 

A  MODERN  PUTNAM, 23 

ADVENTURE  WITH  A  BEAR, 27 

MINTER'    FIGHT  WITH  A  BEAR, 30 

ADVENTURE  WITH  A  GRIZZLY  BEAR, 39 

A  BEAR  FIGHT,  THE  TEST  OF  COURAGE, 41 

HUNTING  THE  MOOSE, 46 

HUNTING  THE  ELK,   57 

fvii) 


Till  CONTENTS. 

HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST, 59 

LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES, 109 

A  PANTHER  ADVENTURE, 145 

HUNTING  IN  CHINESE  TARTARY, 148 

KANGAROO  HUNTING, 177 

HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA, 187 

HUNTING  THE  NARWHAL  AND  WHALE, 231 

THE  MUCKLE  HART  OF  BENMORE, 247 

REMARKABLE  TIGER  HUNT, , 262 

ADVENTURES  WITH  WOLVES, 269 

MR.  CUMMING'S  HUNTING  ADVENTURES  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA, 272 

FISHING  FOR  ALLIGATORS, 283 

THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  CHAMOIS  HUNTER, 286 

HUNTING  IN  MAINE, 293 

THE  JAGUAR, 300 

GIRAFFE  HUNTING, 306 

BISON  HUNTING, 314 

ELEPHANT  HUNTING, 328 

HUNTING  THE  PRONG-HORNED  ANTELOPE, 347 

NOVEL  ATTACK  ON  A  CROCODILE, 355 

BUFFALO  HUNTING  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA, 365 

HUNTING  THE  ORYX, 372        x 

HUNTING  THE  KOODOO, 374 

HUNTING  THE  ZEBRA  AND  RHINOCEROS, 378 

HUNTING  THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS, 386 

HUNTING  SEALS  AND  MORSES, 390 

TIGER  HUNTING, 405 

ADVENTURE  IN  THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS, 418 

THE  RANGERS  OF  THE  WOODS, 425 

WOLF  CATCHING, 442 

PECCARIES, 447 

THE  BOA  CONSTRICTOR, 449 

ADVENTURE  IN  THE  PYRENEES, 456 

HUNTING  THE  CROCODILE, 464 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


HUNTING  THE  PORCUPINE, 

HUNTING  THE  TIGER,  IN  INDIA, 

ADVENTURE  WITH  A  PYTHON, 

GERARD,  THE  LION-SLAYER, 

HUNTING  OSTRICHES  AND  HORSES,  . . 
DIRK  MARCUS  AND  THE  ELEPHANT,.. 

THE  INDIAN  AND  THE  BEARS, 

THE  MOUNTAIN  SHEEP 


467 
470 
480 
486 
492 
499 
502 
511 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


THE  bear  is  the  lord  of  the  American  forests.  The  pan- 
ther alone  is  capable  of  disputing  his  dominions,  but  usually 
succumbs  to  the  bear's  superior  courage  and  perseverance.  In 
strength  and  ferocity,  the  grizzly  bear  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
may  be  considered  a  rival  of  the  lion  and  tiger  of  the  Old 
World,  while,  being  more  active,  he  is  more  to  be  dreaded. 
Bear  hunting  has  been  a  favorite  sport  and  a  profitable  occu- 
pation in  many  parts  of  North  America,  and  is  so  still  in  the 
western  and  northwestern  parts  of  the  United  States  and 
South  America.  The  danger  which  attends  it  is  one  of  its 

2  (13) 


14  BEAR  HUNTING. 

strongest  attractions  to  those  who  have  been  bred  in  the  wil- 
derness, and  who  delight  to  exercise  their  strength  and  skill. 
Many  wild  and  thrilling  stories  are  told  of  the  achievements 
of  the  hunters,  and  their  toils  and  sufferings,  while  following 
their  exciting  vocation,  which  furnish  many  instances  of  he- 
roic daring,  and  presence  of  mind,  and  illustrate  the  habits 
of  the  bear.  In  the  "  Incidents  in  the  Life  of  Ichabod 
Merritt,"  a  noted  hunter,  communicated  to  the  "  American 
Pioneer,"  by  his  friend,  Major  Churchill,  we  find  two  adven- 
tures narrated,  worthy  of  quotation. 

Mr.  Ichabod  Merritt  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  in  June, 
1786.  In  1804,  his  parents  removed  to  the  district  of  Three 
Rivers,  in  Canada.  At  that  time  there  was  an  abundance  of 
game  in  that  part  of  Canada,  and  also  in  the  adjoining 
parts  of  Vermont.  For  many  months  during  the  fall  and 
winter,  hunting  and  trapping  was  a  regular  and  profitable 
business.  It  was  here,  and  in  his  youthful  days,  that  Mr. 
Merritt  inured  himself  to  hardship,  and  self-possession  in  case 
of  difficulty.  He  usually  spent  his  winter  in  the  woods,  either 
trapping  the  martin  and  sable  for  their  fur,  or  in  hunting  the 
bear,  moose,  or  deer,  with  which  those  woods  abounded.  In 
the  fall  of  1815,  he,  with  a  brother,  killed  ten  bears,  the 
skins  of  which  they  sold  for  one  hundred  dollars.  We  give  his 
account  of  his  killing  one  of  them,  as  something  of  a  specimen 
of  the  rest.  "Two  dogs,"  (for  a  hunter  in  those  days  could 
not  hunt  without  two,  and  sometimes  more  dogs,)  he  remarked, 
"  had  started  a  bear,  and  it  appeared  to  be  coming  partly 
towards  me.  I  moved  in  a  direction  to  head  it.  Soon  it 
came  in  sight,  and  when  about  twelve  rods  from  me,  it  jumped 
upon  a  log,  and  turned  to  look  and  listen  for  the  dogs.  At 
this  time  I  fired  at  it.  The  ball  struck  the  jaw-bone,  and 
glancing,  lodged  in  the  skin  of  its  neck.  The  bear  was  but 
little  hurt,  and  continued  her  course,  coming  near  where  I 
was  loading.  The  dogs  overtook  and  seized  it.  In  my  haste 
to  load  I  had  not  watched  them ;  but  the  moment  I  had  fini 


BEAR  ATTACKED  BY  DOGS. 


BEAR  HUNTING. 


17 


shed  loading,  I  looked  up,  and  the  bear  had  got  clear  of  the 
dogs  and  was  pitching  at  me.  She  was  not  eight  feet  off. 
I  sprang  and  ran  a  short  distance,  every  step  of  which  I  could 
not  help  cringing,  for  I  almost  felt  the  embrace  of  the  bear, 
and  expected  every  instant  to  see  her  huge  paws  coming 
round  me.  As  soon  as  I  dared  to  look  behind  me,  I  found 
my  faithful  dogs  had  seized  the  bear,  and  she  had  turned  to 
fight  them.  This  gave  me  the  very  chance  I  wanted,  and  I 
let  drive  at  her  head,  and  shot  her  square  through.  She 
died  instantly."  In  Canada  the  bears  usually  den  up  in 
winter,  and  lie  in  something  of  a  torpid  state.  During  a 
thaw,  they  sometimes  venture  out,  but  that  is  seldom.  In 
warmer  climates  they  ramble  more  while  snow  is  on  the 
ground. 

The  same  person  was  very  successful  in  hunting  the  elk, 
and  displayed  his  courage  in  many  desperate  encounters  with 
that  beast,  so  formidable  when  at  bay. 


2* 


Jl-eetyg 


IN  December,  1820,  there  being  a  light  snow,  Merritt,  with 
two  other  companions,  one  of  whom  had  been  a  sailor,  while 
upon  a  hunting  excursion,  came  upon  the  track  of  a  full 
grown  bear,  which  after  following  for  a  time,  they  found  had 
ascended  a  huge  white-wood,  or  poplar  tree.  This  had  been 
broken  off  some  seventy  feet  from  the  ground,  and  it  was 
supposed  that  the  bear  must  have  secreted  itself  within  its 
hollow  at  the  top.  Unwilling  to  lose  their  game,  and  ready 
for  any  daring  enterprise,  they  looked  about  for  ways  and 
means  to  accomplish  their  object.  They  first  proposed  cutting 
the  tree  down.  But  this  at  the  root  was  sound  and  riot  less 
than  eighteen  feet  in  circumference.  This  with  only  one  axe, 
(18) 


TREEING  A  BEAR.  19 

and  that  a  dull  one,  they  could  not  accomplish  that  day,  and 
if  left  over  night  the  bear  would  escape.  The  sailor  pro- 
posed that  if  a  smaller  tree  could  be  felled  and  lodged  against 
the  larger  one,  he  would  climb  to  the  top  and  shoot  the  bear. 
A  beech  tree  was  then  cut  and  lodged  agreeably  to  their 
wishes.  The  sailor,  who  had  often  ascended  the  waving 
mast,  had  now  a  chance  of  showing  his  intrepidity  upon  a 
forest  tree.  He  prepared  himself  for  the  enterprise,  and  now 
he  began  to  think  should  he  succeed  in  gaining  the  top,  and 
miss  his  first  shot,  his  situation  would  be  dangerous  in  the 
extreme.  The  enraged  bear  would  undoubtedly  claim  the 
premises,  especially  should  it  be  a  she  one  with  her  cubs, 
she  would  doubtless  claim  her  right  and  title  to  that  elevated 
position,  and  a  battle  would  ensue.  In  this  case  all  would 
agree  that  the  bear  would  have  its  choice  of  location  and  the 
advantage  of  position.  In  the  struggle,  too,  the  beech  might 
be  dislodged  from  the  white-wood,  and  he  would  either  fall 
with  it  to  the  ground,  or  be  left  at  the  top  of  the  tree.  The 
first  would  be  certain  death,  and  the  other  would  be  no  en- 
viable situation.  These  were  solemn  thoughts  for  the  sailor, 
and  they  probably  weakened  his  nerves  so  much  that  it  was 
found  when  he  attempted  to  climb,  that  he  could  not  ascend, 
after  repeatedly  trying,  one  inch  beyond  the  assistance  qf  his 
own  companions. 

This  so  vexed  Merritt,  that  he  told  him  to  come  down,  and 
he  would  try  what  he  could  do  towards  climbing  the  tree. 
He  then  slung  his  rifle  to  his  hunting  belt,  with  the  muzzle 
downwards  and  began  to  ascend  the  tree.  This  he  succeeded 
in  doing,  and  in  getting  from  the  topmost  branches  of  the 
beech  upon  the  limbs  of  the  white-wood,  just  high  enough  to 
look  over  into  the  hollow.  It  was  dark,  and  all  he  could  see 
was  a  pair  of  eyes  several  feet  below  him'.  After  informing 
his  companions  and  charging  them  to  shoot  the  bear  the  mo- 
ment it  came  out  of  the  tree,  and  that  he  should  depend  upon 
them  for  protection  if  he  missed,  he  fired  into  the  tree,  and 


20 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


then  retreated  back  into  the  top  of  the  beech  and  immedi 
ately  reloaded.  While  doing  this,  the  bear  and  the  two  cubs 
came  out  of  the  hollow  of  the  tree.  At  this  moment  one  of 
those  below  fired,  but  being  much  agitated,  he  missed.  This 
person,  in  his  precipitation  broke  his  ramrod,  and  likewise 
his  knuckles,  and  could  not  get  his  bullet  down.  He  thought 
all  was  over  with  Merritt,  and  jumped  around,  crying  out, 
"You  are  gone,  Ick,  you  are  gone,  Ick !" — which  Ick 
never  heeded,  but  calmly  reloaded.  The  cubs  took  to  a  limb, 
while  the  old  bear  made  towards  Merritt.  She  was  in  a 
menacing  attitude  and  but  a  few  feet  above  him  when  he 
made  a  second  fire.  This  proved  fatal  and  the  bear  fell.  In 
falling  she  just  brushed  against  him.  Another  hunter  now 
coming  up,  shot  one  of  the  cubs,  and  Merritt  at  his  leisure 
reloaded  and  shot  the  other.  He  then  succeeded  in  getting 
safely  to  the  ground. 


Cioge 


biffy 


THE  following  story  we  cut  from  a  recent  newspaper.  A 
day  or  two  since,  as  Mr.  Solomon  Reed,  of  Dorset,  Vermont, 
was  cutting  wood  at  some  distance  from  his  house,  a  very  large 
bear  stole  up  behind  him,  and  ordered  him  to  stop.  He  let  fly 
his  axe  at  Bruin,  who  in  turn,  let  fly  at  him.  Solomon  then 
seized  a  club,  and  laid  the  blows  upon  his  shaggy  adversary 
so  heavily  that  it  broke,  and  he  began  to  think  he  should 
have  to  knock  under.  Not  having  the  wherewithal  to  knock 
him  with,  he  made  use  of  his  fists,  expecting  every  moment 
that  he  should  be  compelled  to  cave  in.  A  dreadful  hug 
followed,  and  the  two  rolled  over  on  the  ground  like  a  couple 
of  wrestlers  in  a  ring.  Not  liking  to  bear  it  in  this  fashion, 

21 


22  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

Solomon,  by  a  desperate  effort,  got  Bruin  under  him,  holding 
his  head  down,  and  sitting  plump  astride  of  the  beast.  The 
latter,  however,  soon  began  to  "bear"  up  ;  and  all  at  once, 
took  to  his  heels  like  an  infuriated  bull,  Solomon  all  the  while 
astride,  and  compelling  the  bear  to  follow  his  nose  with  as 
slight  a  deviation  of  his  jaws  from  a  straight  line  as  possible. 
On  they  drove  at  a  furious  rate — the  rider  and  the  ridden — 
the  former  endeavoring  to  make  a  bridle  out  of  the  bear's  ears 
and  the  bear  striving  as  hard  to  make  a  bit  out  of  the  man's 
arm.  Solomon  began  to  fear,  at  the  rate  he  was  going,  that 
his  steed  was  fast  taking  him  into  a  whole  nest  of  bears,  and 
probably  soliloquised — 

"  Better  to  bear  the  ills  we  have, 
Than  fly  to  others  that  we  know  not  of. 

While  in  this  predicament,  Mr.  Reed's  son  happened  to 
overtake  them  on  their  journey,  and  settled  all  uncertainties 
by  immediately  knocking  the  bear  in  the  head  with  his  axe. 
Mr.  Solomon  Reed  got  some  scratches  in  the  scuffle,  and 
Bruin  s  fat  carcass  to  boot,  which,  by  the  way,  he  imme- 
diately salted  for  family  use. 


A  LARGE  black  bear  was  traced  to  a  cavern  in  the  Round 
Mountain,  and  every  effort  made  for  three  days  without  suc- 
cess to  smoke  or  burn  her  out.  At  length  a  bold  hunter, 
familiar  with  the  spot,  volunteered  to  beard  the  lion  in  his 
den.  The  well-like  aperture,  which  alone  could  be  seen  from 
without,  descended  for  about  eight  feet,  then  turned  sharp 
off  at  right  angles,  running  nearly  horizontally  for  about  six 
feet,  beyond  which  it  opened  into  a  small  circular  chamber, 
where  the  bear  had  taken  up  his  quarters.  The  man  deter- 
mined to  descend,  to  worm  himself,  feet  forward,  on  his 
back,  and  to  shoot  at  the  eyes  of  the  bear,  as  they  would  be 
visible  in  the  dark.  Two  narrow  laths  of  pine  wood  were 
accordingly  procured,  and  pierced  with  holes,  in  which  can- 
dles were  placed  and  lighted.  A  rope  was  next  made  fast 
about  his  chest,  a  butcher's  knife  disposed  in  readiness  for 


*  From  "  Bentley's  Miscellany." 


(23) 


24  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

his  grasp,  and  his  musket  loaded  with  two  good  ounce  bullets, 
well  wrapped  in  greased  buckskin.  Gradually  he  disappeared, 
thrusting  the  lights  before  him  with  his  feet,  and  holding  the 
musket  ready  cocked  in  his  hand.  A  few  anxious  moments — 
a  low  stifled  growl  was  heard — then  a  loud,  bellowing,  crash- 
ing report,  followed  by  a  wild  and  fearful  howl,  half  anguish, 
half  furious  rage.  The  men  above  wildly  and  eagerly  hauled 
up  the  rope,  and  the  sturdy  hunter  was  whirled  into  the  air 
uninjured,  and  retaining  in  his  grasp  his  good  weapon ;  while 
the  fierce  brute  rushed  tearing  after  him  even  to  the  cavern's 
mouth.  As  soon  as  the  man  had  entered  the  small  chamber, 
he  perceived  the  glaring  eyeballs  of  the  bear,  had  taken 
steady  aim  at  them,  and  had,  he  believed,  lodged  his  bullets 
fairly.  Painful  moanings  were  soon  heard  from  within,  and 
then  all  was  still !  Again,  the  bold  man  determined  to  seek 
the  monster ;  again  he  vanished,  and  his  musket  shot  roared 
from  the  recesses  of  the  rock.  Up  he  was  whirled  ;  but  this 
time,  the  bear,  streaming  with  gore,  and  furious  with  pain, 
rushed  after  him,  and  with  a  mighty  bound  cleared  the  con- 
fines of  the  cavern  !  A  hasty  and  harmless  volley  was  fired, 
while  the  bear  glared  round  as  if  undecided  upon  which  of 
the  group  to  wreak  his  vengeance.  Tom,  the  hunter,  coolly 
raised  his  piece,  but  snap  !  no  spark  followed  the  blow  of  the 
hammer.  With  a  curse,  Tom  threw  down  the  musket,  and 
drawing  his  knife,  rushed  forward  to  encounter  the  bear  single 
handed.  What  would  have  been  his  fate  had  the  bear  folded 
him  in  his  deadly  hug,  we  may  be  pretty  sure  ;  but  ere  this 
could  happen,  the  four  bullets  did  their  work,  and  he  fell ;  a 
convulsive  shudder  passed  through  his  frame,  and  all  was 
still.  Six  hundred  and  odd  pounds  did  he  weigh,  and  great 
were  the  rejoicings  at  his  destruction. 


THE  following  narrative  of  an  encounter  with  a  bear  is  given 
by  Mr.  William  Galloway,  a  surveyor  in  the  west :  On  a 
cloudy  day,  in  January,  1804,  I  surveyed  a  tract  of  one 
thousand  acres  of  land  on  the  Little  Miami,  which  included 
the  old  Chilicothe  town,  assisted  by  William  and  John  Steven- 
son, or  Stinson,  as  they  were  commonly  called,  as  chainmen, 
both  of  whom  were  old  hunters. 

In  running  the  back  line  of  the  survey,  which  was  mostly 
through  a  large  thicket,  I  was  about  one  hundred  yards  in 
advance  of  the  chainman  and  marker.  Having  halted  to  set 
the  compass,  my  attention  was  attracted  by  a  pile  of  fresh 
earth,  at  the  root  of  a  large  white  oak,  about  twenty  yards 
distant,  which  had  fallen  several  years  before  ;  the  trunk  of 
which  gradually  rose  from  the  root  till  about  twenty-five  feet 
back,  it  was  elevated  several  feet  from  the  ground.  A  small 

(27) 


28  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

dog  which  acompanied  us  ran  to  the  place  and  commenced 
barking  quite  freely.  I  hastened  to  see  what  the  dog  had 
discovered,  and,  springing  upon  the  fallen  tree,  and  looking 
over  it,  I  discovered,  a  large  bear,  snugly  enconsed  in  his  den, 
within  six  feet  of  where  I  stood,  staring  at  me  with  no  very 
pleasant  countenance,  which  induced  me  to  retreat  in  double- 
quick  time ;  but  finding  I  was  not  pursued,  I  halted  when  1 
reached  the  compass  that  I  had  left  standing. 

The  chainman  and  marker  hastened  up,  and  inquired  what 
was  the  cause  of  my  running  so  fast  ?  Upon  informing  them 
that  I  had  found  a  bear,  they  accompanied  me  back  to  the 
log,  which  we  all  mounted  and  had  a  fair  view  of  him  in  his 
den,  while  he  calmly  returned  our  gaze,  without  showing  any 
sign  of  either  fear  or  hostility  ;  supposing,  no  doubt,  that  his 
den  was  impregnable,  as  the  tree  in  falling  had  raised  several 
cart-loads  of  earth  on  it  roots,  which  time  had  settled  in  the 
shape  of  a  regular  mound  ;  under  which  he  had  excavated 
a  cavern  several  feet  in  depth,  sufficiently  large  to  turn  round 
in,  and  to  lodge  comfortably. 

A  council  of  war  was  held  forthwith  to  devise  a  plan  for 
attacking  Bruin,  One,  proposed  by  John  Stinson,  was  with 
the  marker's  tomahawk  and  my  steel-pointed  Jacob  staff;  but 
William  Stinson,  the  oldest  and  most  experienced  hunter  of 
the  party,  objected,  saying,  that  from  his  great  size  and 
strength,  if  the  bear  was  insulted  with  such  puny  weapons, 
he  would  certainly  be  the  death  of  some  of  us ;  and  this 
plan  was  abandoned  by  common  consent.  What  then  was 
to  be  done  ?  To  leave  him  undisturbed  in  his  nest  was  not 
to  be  thought  of  by  old  hunters.  After  further  hurried  con- 
sultation, it  was  agreed  that  John  should  go  home  for  his  gun 
and  dogs,  while  the  rest  remained  to  keep  watch  over  Bruin's 
movements. 

Accordingly,  John  set  off  at  a  long  trot,  while  we  who  re- 
mained kindled  a  fire  and  patiently  waited  for  his  return.  In 
about  an  hour  he  gave  notice  of  his  approach  by  a  shout, 


ADVENTURE  WITH  A  BEAR.  29 

which  we  promptly  answered.  He  was  accompanied  by  Wil- 
liam McFarland,  a  near  neighbor,  both  on  horseback,  armed 
with  their  trusty  rifles,  and  followed  by  some  half  dozen  dogs 
of  known  pluck  and  eager  for  a  row.  Our  armed  heroes,  on 
joining  us,  hastily  dismounted  and  were  rejoiced  to  hear  that 
Cuflfy  still  remained  in  his  den.  John  claimed  as  his  right 
the  honor  of  leading  the  attack  and  giving  the  first  shot,  and 
instantly  mounted  the  log,  while  I  at  the  same  moment  fol- 
lowed his  example  and  stood  close  behind  him.  Unfortu- 
nately, his  nerves  had  become  so  much  disturbed  by  his  long 
race  and  excitement  of  the  moment,  that  when  he  raised 
"Betsy,"  as  he  called  his  rifle,  to  his  shoulder,  he  could  not 
hold  her  steady,  but  shook  and  wabbled  so  much  that  he  hesi- 
tated for  some  seconds  to  shoot.  Seeing  the  tremor  which 
had  seized  him,  I  entreated  him  to  give  me  the  gun  ;  but  this 
he  refused.  I  then  told  him  to  make  a  sure  shot,  and  "  give 
it  to  him"  above  the  eyes ;  he  instantly  fired,  and  the  ball  only 
glanced  the  side  of  his  mouth,  although  the  muzzle  of  his  gun 
was  not  more  than  three  feet  from  the  bear's  head.  "  Quick 
as  wink"  he  gave  a  "  tremendous"  snort  and  sprang  at  John, 
who  at  the  same  moment  jumped  off  the  log  and  fell  at  full 
length  on  the  ground.  We  all  thought  his  hour  had  come, 
as  the  bear,  with  open  mouth,  flew  on  him ;  but  fortunately, 
McFarland,  on  seeing  John's  trepidation  before  he  fired,  had 
cocked  his  gun,  and,  before  Bruin  could  seize  his  prostrate 
foe,  put  the  muzzle  against  his  side  and  shot  him  through  the 
lungs,  while  the  dogs  seized  him  at  the  same  instant  and 
saved  John's  life.  After  a  brief  scuffle  with  the  dogs,  whom 
he  knocked  about  as  if  they  had  been  mere  puppies,  while  the 
blood  flowed  in  streams  from  his  side,  mouth,  and  nose,  he 
entered  his  cavern,  and  soon  breathed  his  last.  On  dressing 
him,  he  was  found  to  be  in  prime  order,  and  weighed  near 
four  hundred  pounds. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  MINTER,  from  Kentucky,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  in  Radnor,  and  brother-in-law  of  Colonel  Crawford, 
who  was  burnt  by  the  Indians,  was,  in  his  younger  days,  a 
great  hunter,  and  became  famous  for  a  terrible  bear  fight,  in 
which  he  came  very  near  losing  his  life.  When  hunting 
alone  one  day,  he  came  across  a  very  large  bear  and  fired  at 
him.  The  bear  fell,  and  reloading  his  gun,  Minter  advanced, 
supposing  him  dead,  and  touched  his  nose  with  the  muzzle 
of  his  gun,  when  the  bear  instantly  reared  upon  his  hind  legs 
to  seize  him.  Minter  fired  again,  which  increased  his  rage, 
only  inflicting  a  flesh  wound,  and  then  threw  his  hatchet  at 
him ;  and  as  the  bear  sprang  forward  to  grasp  him,  he  struck 
(30) 


MINTER  FIGHTING  WITH  THE  BEAR. 


MINTER'S  FIGHT  WITH  THE  BEAR.  <  33 

him  on  his  head  with  the  rifle  with  all  his  might,  producing 
no  other  effect  than  shivering  his  rifle  all  to  pieces.  Too  late 
then  to  escape,  he  drew  his  big  knife  from  its  sheath  and 
made  plunge  a  at  his  heart,  but  old  Bruin,  by  a  stroke  of  his 
paw,  whirled  the  knife  into  the  air,  and  enfolding  its  weapon- 
less owner  with  his  huge  arms,  both  rolled  on  the  ground. 
A  fearful  struggle  then  ensued  between  the  combatants :  one 
ruled  by  unvarying  instinct,  and  the  other  guided  by  the  dic- 
tates of  reason.  The  former  depended  wholly  upon  hugging 
his  adversary  to  death,  while  the  latter  aimed  at  presenting  his 
body  in  such  positions  as  would  best  enable  him  to  withstand 
the  vice-like  squeeze  till  he  could  loosen  the  grasp.  He  was 
about  six  feet  in  height,  possessing  large  bones  and  well  de- 
veloped muscles,  and  being  properly  proportioned,  was  very 
athletic. 

The  woods  were  perfectly  open  and  clear  of  underbrush,  and 
in  their  struggle  they  rolled  in  every  direction.  Several 
times  he  thought  the  severity  of  the  hug  would  finish  him ; 
but  by  choking  the  bear,  he  would  compel  him  to  release  his 
hold,  to  knock  off  his  hands,  when  he  would  recover  his  breath 
and  gain  a  better  position.  After  maintaining  the  contest  in 
this  way  for  several  hours,  they,  happily  for  him,  rolled  back 
near  where  his  knife  lay,  which  inspired  him  with  buoyant 
hope,  but  he  had  to  make  many  ineffectual  efforts  before  he 
could  tumble  the  bear  writhin  reach  of  it.  Having  finally  re- 
covered it,  he  stabbed  him  at  every  chance  till  he  at  last  bled 
to  death,  only  relaxing  his  hold  when  life  became  extinct. 
He  attempted  to  get  up,  but  was  too  much  exhausted,  and 
crawling  to  a  log,  against  which  he  leaned,  his  heart  sickened 
as  he  contemplated  the  scene.  Not  a  rag  was  left  on  him, 
and  over  his  back,  arms,  and  legs,  his  flesh  was  lacerated  to 
the  bones  by  the  claws  of  the  bear.  By  crawling  and  walk- 
ing, he  reached  home  after  night,  with  no  other  covering  than 
a  gore  of  blood  from  head  to  foot.  His  friends,  who  went 
out  the  next  morning  to  survey  the  ground  and  bring  in  the 


34 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


trophy,  said  the  surface  was  torn  up  by  them  over  the  space 
of  at  least  half  an  acre.  After  several  weeks  he  recovered, 
but  he  carried  with  him  the  cicatrices  and  welts,  some  of 
them  were  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  thick,  till  he  died, 
about  1830.  He  never  desired  another  bear  hug,  but  gave 
up  hunting,  and  turning  his  attention  to  agriculture,  left  his 
children  a  comfortable  patrimony  and  a  good  name.* 

*"0hio  Historical  Collections." 


GRIZZLY  BEAR. 


totty 


I  NOW  took  a  long  farewell  of  the  horse,  and  turned  north- 
ward, electing  a  line  close  in  by  the  base  of  the  hills,  going 
along  at  an  improved  pace,  with  the  view  of  reaching  the 
trading-post  the  same  night  ;  but  stopping  in  a  gully  to  look 
for  water,  I  found  a  little  pool,  evidently  scratched  out  by  a 
bear,  as  there  were  foot-prints  and  claw-marks  about  it  ;  and  I 
was  aware  instinct  prompts  that  brute  where  water  is  nearest 
the  surface,  when  he  scratches  until  he  comes  to  it.  This  was 
one  of  very  large  size,  the  foot-marks  behind  the  toes  being 
full  nine  inches  ;  and  although  I  had  my  misgivings  about 
the  prudence  of  facing  a  great  grizzly  bear,  still  the  "  better 
part  of  valor"  was  overcome,  as  it  often  is,  by  the  anticipated 
honor  and  glory  of  a  single  combat,  and  conquest  of  such  a 

*  Kelly's  "  Excursion  to  California." 

4  (37) 


38  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

ferocious  beast.  I  was  well  armed,  too,  with  my  favorite  rifle, 
a  Colt's  revolver,  that  never  disappointed  me,  and  a  nonde- 
script weapon,  a  sort  of  cross  betwixt  a  clay-more  and  a  bowie- 
knife  ;  so,  after  capping  afresh,  hanging  the  bridle  on  the  horn 
of  the  saddle,  and,  staking  my  mule,  I  followed  the  trail  up  a 
gully,  and  much  sooner  than  I  expected  came  within  view  and 
good  shooting  distance  of  Bruin,  who  was  seated  erect,  with 
his  side  towards  me,  in  front  of  a  manzanti  bush,  making  a 
repast  on  his  favorite  berry. 

The  sharp  click  of  the  cock  causing  him  to  turn  quickly 
round,  left  little  time  for  deliberation  ;  so,  taking  a  ready 
good  aim  at  the  region  of  the  heart,  I  let  drive,  the  ball  (as  I 
subsequently  found)  glancing  along  the  ribs,  entering  the 
armpit,  and  shattering  smartly  some  of  the  shoulder  bones.  I 
exulted  as  I  saw  him  stagger  and  come  to  his  side ;  the  next 
glance,  however,  revealed  him,  to  my  dismay,  on  all  fours, 
in  direct  pursuit,  but  going  lame ;  so  I  bolted  for  the  mule, 
sadly  encumbered  with  a  huge  pair  of  Mexican  spurs,  the 
nervous  noise  of  the  crushing  brush  close  in  my  rear  convinc- 
ing me  he  was  fast  gaining  on  me;  I  therefore  dropped  my 
rifle,  putting  on  fresh  steam,  and  reaching  the  rope,  pulled 
up  the  picket-pin,  and  springing  into  the  saddle  with  merely  a 
>hold  of  the  lariat,  plunged  the  spurs  into  the  mule,  which, 
much  to  my  affright  produced  a  kick  and  a  retrograde 
movement ;  but  in  the  exertion  having  got  a  glimpse  of  my 
pursuer,  uttering  a  snort  of  terror,  he  went  off  at  a  pace  I  did 
not  think  him  capable  of,  soon  widening  the  distance  betwixt 
us  and  the  bear  ;  but  having  no  means  of  guiding  his  motions, 
he  brought  me  violently  in  contact  with  the  arm  of  a  tree, 
which  unhorsed  and  stunned  me  exceedingly.  Scrambling 
to  my  feet  as  well  as  I  could,  I  saw  my  relentless  enemy  close 
at  hand,  leaving  me  the  only  alternative  of  ascending  a  tree  ; 
but,  in  my  nervous  efforts,  I  had  scarcely  my  feet  above  his 
reach,  when  he  was  right  under,  evidently  enfeebled  by  the 
loss  of  blood,  as  the  exertion  made  it  well  out  copiously.  After 


ADVENTURE  WITH  A  GRIZZLY  BEAR.  39 

a  moment's  pause,  and  a  fierce  glare  upward  from  his  blood- 
shot eyes,  he  clasped  the  trunk ;  but  I  saw  his  endeavors  to 
to  climb  were  crippled  by  the  shoulder.  However,  by  the 
aid  of  his  jaws,  he  just  succeeded  in  reaching  the  first  branch 
with  his  sound  arm,  and  was  working  convulsively  to  bring  up 
the  body,  when,  with  a  well-directed  blow  from  my  cutlass,  1 
completely  severed  the  tendons  of  his  foot,  and  he  instantly 
fell  with  a  dreadful  souse  and  horrific  growl,  the  blood  spout- 
ing up  as  if  impelled  from  a  jet ;  he  rose  again  somewhat 
tardily,  and  limping  round  the  tree  with  up-turned  eyes,  kept 
tearing  off  the  bark  with  his  tusks.  However,  watching  my 
opportunity,  and  leaning  downward,  I  sent  a  ball  from  my 
revolver  with  such  good  effect  immediately  behind  the  head, 
that  he  dropped ;  and  my  nerves  being  now  rather  more 
composed,  I  leisurely  distributed  the  remaining  five  balls  in 
the  most  vulnerable  parts  of  his  carcass. 

By  this  time  I  saw  the  muscular  system  totally  relaxed,  so 
I  descended  with  confidence,  and  found  him  quite  dead,  and 
myself  not  a  little  enervated  with  the  excitement  and  the 
effects  of  my  wound,  which  bled  profusely  from  the  temple  ; 
so  much  so,  that  I  thought  an  artery  was  ruptured.  I  bound 
up  my  head  as  well  as  I  could,  loaded  my  revolver  anew,  and 
returned  for  my  rifle ;  but  as  evening  was  approaching,  and 
my  mule  gone,  I  had  little  time  to  survey  the  dimensions  of 
my  fallen  foe,  and  no  means  of  packing  much  of  the  flesh. 
I  therefore  hacked  off  a  few  steaks  from  his  thigh,  and  hew- 
ing off  one  of  his  hind  feet  as  a  sure  trophy  of  victory,  I  set 
out  towards  the  trading-post,  which  I  reached  about  mid- 
night, my  friend  and  my  truant  mule  being  there  before  me, 
but  no  horses. 

I  exhibited  the  foot  of  my  fallen  foe  in  great  triumph,  and 
described  the  conflict  with  due  emphasis  and  effect  to  the 
company,  who  arose  to  listen  ;  after  which  I  made  a  transfer 
of  the  flesh  to  the  traders,  on  condition  that  there  was  not  to 
be  any  charge  for  the  hotel  or  the  use  of  the  mule.  There 


40  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

was  an  old  experienced  French  trapper  of  the  party,  who, 
judging  from  the  size  of  the  foot,  set  down  the  weight  of  the 
bear  at  fifteen  hundred  pounds,  which,  he  said  they  frequently 
over  run,  he  himself,  as  well  as  Colonel  Fremont's  exploring 
party,  having  killed  several  that  came  to  two  thousand  pounds. 
He  advised  me,  should  I  again  be  pursued  by  a  bear,  and 
have  no  other  means  of  escape,  to  ascend  a  small-girthed  tree, 
which  they  cannot  get  up,  for,  not  having  any  central  joint 
in  the  fore-legs,  they  cannot  climb  any  with  a  branchless  stem 
that  does  not  fully  fill  their  embrace ;  and  in  the  event  of 
not  being  able  to  accomplish  the  ascent  before  my  pursuer 
over  took  me,  to  place  my  back  against  it,  when,  if  it  and  I 
did  not  constitute  a  bulk  capable  of  filling  his  hug,  I  might 
have  time  to  rip  out  his  entrails  before  he  could  kill  me, 
being  in  a  most  favorable  posture  for  the  operation.  They 
do  not  generally  use  their  mouth  in  the  destruction  of  their 
victims,  but,  hugging  them  closely,  lift  one  of  the  hind  feet, 
which  are  armed  with  tremendous  claws,  and  tear  out  the  bowls. 
The  Frenchman's  advice  reads  rationally  enough,  and  is  a  fea- 
sible theory  on  the  art  of  evading  unbearable  compression ;  but, 
unfortunately,  in  the  haunts  of  that  animal  those  slim  juve- 
nile saplings  are  rarely  met  with,  and  a  person  closely  con- 
fronted with  such  a  grisly  vis-a-vis  is  not  exactly  in  a  tone 
of  nerve  for  surgical  operations. 


,  ffre  fesf  of 


THE  best  "bear  story,"  which  has  come  to  our  knowledge, 
is  made  up  of  events  which  happened  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Pyrenees,  in  France.  Just  after  the  battle  of  Fontenoy,  in 
1745,  the  young  Baron  de  Villetreton,  who  had  distinguished 
himself  by  his  courage  and  virtue,  was  publicly  insulted  by 
M.  De  Malatour,  who  envied  the  young  man's  popularity. 
Villetreton  was,  in  principle,  opposed  to  duelling,  and  he  re- 
fused to  challenge  his  enemy.  But  to  prove  his  courage  and 
disprove  that  of  Malatour,  he  proposed  that  they  should  join 
in  a  bear  hunt,  on  the  Villetreton  estate,  among  the  preci- 
pices of  Clat,  in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees.  The  proposal  was 
accepted,  and  De  Malatour  with  a  number  of  others  repaired 
to  the  chateau. 

The  morning  following  their  arrival,  a  body  of  trackers 
and  scouts,  provided  with  all  manner  of  discordant  instru- 
ments —  trumpets,  saucepans,  drums,  &c.  —  were  assembled 

4*  (41) 


42  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

tinder  the  walls  of  the  chateau,  with  the  pareur  at  their  head ; 
while  by  his  side  stood  the  mandrin,  who  proudly  guarded  a 
dozen  large  mastiffs,  held  in  leash  by  his  vigorous  helpers. 
The  young  baron  and  his  friends,  armed  with  carbines  and 
hunting-knives,  had  scarcely  appeared,  when,  by  a  sign  from 
the  pareur,  the  whole  troop  moved  silently  forward.  The 
dogs  themselves  seemed  to  understand  the  importance  of  the 
movement ;  and  nothing  was  heard  but  the  confused  tramp 
of  feet,  blended  with  the  noise  of  the  distant  torrent,  or,  at 
intervals,  the  cry  of  some  belated  night-bird  flying  heavily 
homeward  in  the  doubtful  glimmer  of  the  yet  unopened  day. 

As  the  party  reached  the  crest  of  the  mountain  which  im- 
mediately overhung  the  chateau,  the  first  rays  of  the  sun 
breaking  from  the  east  glanced  on  the  summit  of  the  Pyre- 
nees, and  suddenly  illuminating  the  landscape,  discovered 
beneath  them  a  deep  valley,  covered  with  majestic  pine-trees, 
which  murmured  in  the  fresh  breeze  of  the  morning. 

Opposite  to  them,  the  foaming  waters  of  a  cascade  fell  for 
some  hundreds  of  feet  through  a  cleft  which  divided  the  moun- 
tains from  the  summit  to  the  base.  By  one  of  those  caprices 
of  nature  which  testify  the  primitive  convulsions  of  our  globe, 
the  chasm  was  surmounted  by  a  natural  bridge — the  piles 
of  granite  at  each  side  being  jointed  by  one  immense  flat 
rock,  almost  seeming  to  verify  the  fable  of  the  Titans ;  for  it 
appeared  impossible  that  these  enormous  blocks  of  stone  could 
have  ever  been  raised  to  such  an  elevation  by  human  agency. 
Sinister  legends  were  attached  to  the  place ;  and  the  moun- 
taineers recounted  with  terror  that  no  hunters,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  pareur,  had  ever  been  posted  at  the  bridge  of 
Maure  without  becoming  the  prey  of  either  the  bears  or  the 
precipice.  But  the  pareur  was  too  good  a  Christian  to  par- 
take of  this  ridiculous  prejudice ;  he  attributed  the  fatality 
to  its  real  cause — the  dizziness  arising  from  the  sight  of  the 
bears  and  the  precipice  combined,  by  destroying  the  hunter's 
presence  of  mind,  made  his  aim  unsteady,  and  his  death  the 


A  BEAR  HUNT.  43 

inevitable  consequence.  He  could  not,  however,  altogether 
divest  himself  of  fears  for  his  young  master,  who  obstinately 
persevered  in  his  intention  of  occupying  the  bridge  with  hia 
antagonist. 

After  placing  the  baron's  companions  at  posts  which  he 
considered  the  most  advantageous,  the  pareur  rejoined  his 
men,  and  disposing  them  so  as  to  encompass  the  valley  facing 
the  cascade,  commanded  the  utmost  silence  to  be  preserved 
until  they  should  hear  the  barking  of  his  dog.  At  that  signal 
the  mastiffs  were  to  be  unleashed,  the  instruments  sounded, 
and  all  to  move  slowly  forward,  contracting  the  circle  as  they 
approached  the  cascade.  These  arrangements  being  made, 
the  pareur  and  his  dog,  followed  by  the  mandrin  alone,  dis- 
appeared in  the  depths  of  the  wood. 

For  some  minutes  the  silence  had  remained  unbroken,  when 
suddenly  a  furious  barking  commenced,  accompanied  by  low 
growling.  Each  prepared  his  arms ;  the  instruments  sounded ; 
and  the  mastiffs  being  let  loose,  precipitated  themselves  pell- 
mell  in  the  direction  of  the  struggle.  Their  furious  barking 
was  soon  confounded  with  the  cries  of  the  hunters  and  the 
din  of  the  instruments,  mingled  with  the  formidable  growling 
of  the  bears,  making  altogether  a  hideous  concert,  which, 
rolling  along  the  sides  of  the  valley,  was  repeated  by  the 
distant  echoes.  At  this  moment  the  young  baron  regarded 
his  companion,  whose  countenance,  though  pale,  remained 
calm  and  scornful. 

"Attention,,  sir,"  said  he,  in  a  low  voice.  "The  bears 
are  not  far  from  us  ;  let  your  aim  be  true,  or  else" 

"  Keep  your  counsels  for  yourself,  sir  !" 

"Attention!"  repeated  Villetreton,  without  seeming  to 
notice  the  surly  response  "he  approaches !" 

Those  who  were  placed  in  front  of  the  cascade,  seeing  the 
animals  directing  their  course  to  the  bridge,  cried  from  all 
parts,  "Look  out,  look  out,  Villetreton  !"  But  the  breaking 
of  branches,  followed  by  the  rolling  of  loosened  stones  down 


44  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

the  precipice,  had  already  given  warning  of  the  animal's 
near  approach.  Malatour  became  deadly  pale ;  he,  however, 
held  his  carbine  firmly,  in  the  attitude  of  a  resolute  hunter. 

A  bear  at  length  appeared,  with  foaming  mouth  and  glar- 
ing eyes,  at  times  turning  as  if  he  would  fain  struggle  with 
his  pursuers ;  but  when  he  saw  the  bridge,  his  only  way  of 
escape,  occupied,  he  uttered  a  fearful  growl,  and  raising  him- 
self on  his  hind  legs,  was  rushing  on  our  two  hunters,  when 
a  ball  struck  him  on  the  forehead,  and  he  fell  dead  at  their  feet. 

Malatour  convulsively  grasped  his  gun — he  had  become 
completely  powerless.  Suddenly  new  cries,  louder  and  more 
pressing,  were  heard. 

"Fire,  fire!  he  is  on  you!"  cried  the  pareur,  who  ap- 
peared unexpectedly,  pale  and  agitated,  his  gun  to  his  shoulder, 
but  afraid  to  fire  lest  he  should  hit  his  master. 

The  latter  perceiving  his  agitation,  turned  round ;  it  was 
indeed  time.  On  the  other  side  of  the  bridge,  a  bear,  much 
larger  than  the  first,  was  in  the  act  of  making  the  final  rush. 
Springing  backward,  he  seized  the  carbine  of  the  petrified 
companion,  and  lodged  the  contents  in  the  animal's  breast  ere 
it  could  reach  them.  He  rolled,  in  the  death-struggle  to  where 
they  stood.  All  this  was  the  work  of  an  instant.  The  knees 
of  the  hardy  old  pareur  shook  with  emotion  at  the  escape  of 
his  master ;  as  for  Malatour,  his  livid  paleness,  and  the  con- 
vulsive shuddering  of  his  limbs,  testified  the  state  of  his  mind. 

"  Take  your  arms,"  said  the  young  baron,  quickly  replac- 
ing in  his  hands  the  carbine ;  "  here  are  our  comrades — they 
must  not  see  you  unarmed ;  and,  pareur,  not  a  word  of  all 
this." 

"  Look !"  said  he  to  his  companions,  as  they  gathered 
around,  pointing  to  the  monstrous  beasts — "one  to  each. 
Now,  Monsieur  de  Malatour,  I  wait  your  orders,  and  am 
ready  to  give  the  satisfaction  you  require." 

The  latter  made  no  reply,  but  reached  out  his  hand,  which 
Villetreton  cordially  shook. 


A  BEAR  HUNT. 


45 


That  evening  a  banquet  was  given  to  celebrate  the  double 
victory.  Towards  the  end  of  the  repast,  a  toast  to  "  the 
vanquishers"  was  proposed,  and  immediately  accepted.  Mon- 
sieur d'Argentre,  glass  in  hand,  rose  to  pledge  it,  when  Ma- 
latour,  also  rising,  held  his  arm,  exclaiming,  "  To  the  sole 
vanquisher  of  the  day  ! — to  our  noble  host !  It  was  he  alone 
who  killed  the  two  bears ;  and  if,  through  his  generosity,  I 
have  allowed  the  illusion  to  pass  so  long,  it  was  simply  for 
this  reason  :  the  affront  which  I  gave  him  was  a  public  one — 
the  reparation  ought  to  be  public  likewise.  I  now  declare 
that  Monsieur  de  Villetreton  is  the  bravest  of  the  brave,  and 
that  I  shall  maintain  it  towards  all  and  against  all." 

"  This  time,  at  least,  I  shall  not  take  up  your  gauntlet," 
said  Monsieur  d'Argentre. 

"  There's  a  brave  young  man,"  cried  the  pareur,  whom 
his  master  had  admitted  to  his  table,  and  who  endeavored  to 
conceal  a  furtive  tear.  "  Nothing  could  better  prove  to  me, 
sir,  that,  with  a  little  experience,  you  will  be  as  calm  in  the 
presence  of  bears,  as  you  are,  I  am  sure,  in  the  face  of  an 
enemy." 


THE  MOOSE. 


the 


IN  the  wilder  parts  of  our  country  to  hunt  and  kill  the 
moose  is  always  an  object  with  the  hunters.  The  moose  is 
an  animal  similar  to  the  deer,  or  elk,  except  vastly  larger. 
Their  color  is  a  dark  gray.  The  horns  of  the  male  are  pronged, 
and  very  large  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  their  bodies.  The 
body  is  thick-set,  tail  short,  and  they  have  a  very  large  upper 
lip.  Their  usual  gait  is  a  trot,  swinging  their  legs  out  so  as 
(46) 


HUNTING  THE  MOOSE. 


HUNTING  THE  MOOSE.  49 

to  form  a  half-circle  in  the  snow  when  it  was  three  or  four  feet 
deep.  "  I  have  often,"  says  Merritt,  "  measured  their  steps 
in  the  snow,  and  found  them  seven  feet  apart."  A  man,  five 
and  half  feet  high,  could  walk  under  the  belly  of  a  full  grown 
one.  They  usually  bring  two  young  at  a  time.  In  winter,  they 
herd  together,  and  as  the  snow  increases  they  form  yards,  living 
upon  browse,  the  twigs  and  bark  of  trees.  Sometimes  they 
will  take  a  strip,  following  some  ridge  or  swamp,  feeding  upon 
the  brush  until  they  fill  themselves,  and  then  lie  down,  the 
next  day  progressing  on  further. 

"  The  last  moose  which  I  killed,"  said  Merritt,  "  was  out 
back  of  Brompton  Lake  in  Canada.  I  was  hunting  with  J. 
Bonney.  It  was  near  night  when  we  came  upon  a  moose-yard. 
We  had  taken  provision  but  for  one  day.  We  were  not  ex- 
pecting then  to  chase  them,  but  merely  to  find  the  place  of 
yarding,  and  then  wait  until  the  snow  became  deeper  before 
we  disturbed  them.  When  the  snow  was  deep,  and  par- 
ticularly, when  there  was  an  icy  crust,  we  could  soon  run  them 
down  and  shoot  them.  Bonney  was  for  giving  immediate 
chase.  I  persuaded  him  to  camp  that  night,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing to  ascertain  where  we  could  get  some  provisions,  before 
we  started  them,  as  the  chase  might  last,  as  it  frequently  did, 
when  there  was  but  little  snow,  five  or  six  days.  The  next 
day,  it  took  us  until  about  noon  before  we  could  find  any 
thing  to  eat.  We  then  obtained  three  quarts  of  Indian-meal, 
and  about  four  pounds  of  bull-beef.  We  had  with  us  a  small 
kettle,  with  the  aid  of  which  we  made  our  meal  into  porridge. 
Our  dogs  shared  our  provisions  with  us.  We  did  but  little 
this  day,  the  second  of  our  trip,  except  to  get  back  upon  the 
trail.  The  third  day  we  gave  chase;  but,  before  night, 
Bonney  was  for  giving  up  the  pursuit.  I  persuaded  him  to 
continue,  told  him  that  he  had  been  fierce  to  begin  the  pur- 
suit when  we  had  nothing  to  eat,  and  now  when  we  had  beef 
and  porridge,  I  was  for  goin^  ahead.  Near  night  the  dogs 
came  up  with  them,  but  too  late  for  us  to  get  a  shot  at  them. 

5 


50  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

We  again  encamped.  The  next  day,  after  following  five  miles 
further  we  overtook  them  back  of  a  hill,  which,  by  the  sound, 
they  appeared  to  be  going  around.  I  immediately  ran  to  the 
opposite  side  of  the  hill  to  meet  them.  They  came  around  as 
I  expected,  and  I  partly  met  them.  As  they  turned,  a  large 
one  ran  upon  the  ice  of  a  creek  and  broke  in.  As  he  rose 
upon  the  ice  I  was  ready,  and  cut  loose  upon  him,  and  shot 
him  square  through.  This  stopped  his  running.  After  se- 
curing our  prize,  and  getting  a  hearty  meal  of  fresh  meat,  we 
returned." 

In  the  summer  the  moose  frequents  swampy  or  low  grounds, 
near  the  margins  of  lakes  and  rivers,  through  which  they  de- 
light to  swim,  as  it  frees  them  for  the  time  from  the  annoy- 
ance of  insects.  They  are  also  seen  wading  out  from  the 
shores,  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  on  the  aquatic  plants  that 
rise  to  the  surface  of  the  water.  At  this  season  they  regu- 
larly frequent  the  same  place  in  order  to  drink,  of  which  cir- 
cumstance the  Indian  hunter  takes  advantage  to  lie  in  ambush, 
and  secure  the  destruction  of  the  deer.  During  the  winter, 
the  moose,  in  families  of  fifteen  or  twenty,  seek  the  depths  of 
the  forest  for  shelter  and  food. 

The  moose  is  generally  hunted  in  the  month  of  March, 
when  the  snow  is  deep  and  sufficiently  crusted  with  ice  to 
bear  the  weight  of  a  dog,  but  not  a  moose.  Five  or  six  In- 
dians, provided  with  knapsacks  and  snow-shoes,  containing 
food  for  about  a  week,  and  all  necessary  implements  for  making 
their  camp  at  night,  set  out  in  search  of  a  moose-yard.  When 
they  have  discovered  one,  they  collect  their  dogs  and  encamp 
for  the  night,  in  order  to  be  ready  to  commence  the  chase  at 
an  early  hour,  before  the  sun  softens  the  crust  upon  the  snow, 
which  would  retard  the  dogs  and  facilitate  the  escape  of  the 
deer.  At  daybreak  the  dogs  are  let  on,  and  the  hunters, 
wearing  large  snow-shoes,  follow  as  closely  as  possible.  As 
soon  as  the  dogs  approach  a  moose,  tbey  assail  him  on  all 
sides,  and  force  him  to  attempt  his  escape  by  flight.  The 


HUNTING  THE  MOOSE.  53 

deer,  however,  does  not  run  far,  before  the  crust  on  the  snow, 
through  which  he  breaks  at  every  step,  cuts  his  legs  so  much 
that  the  poor  animal  stands  at  bay,  and  endeavors  to  defend 
himself  against  the  dogs  by  striking  at  them  with  his  fore- 
feet. The  arrival  of  the  hunter  within  a  convenient  distance 
soon  terminates  the  combat,  as  a  ball  from  his  rifle  rarely 
fails  to  bring  the  moose  down. 

I  will  now  close  the  account  of  the  moose  with  an  anecdote 
I  once  heard  of  a  hunter. 

The  hounds  had  been  put  into  the  woods  for  the  purpose 
of  scenting  a  deer — a  business  with  which  they  were  well 
acquainted,  whilst  the  hunter  placed  himself  in  a  convenient 
spot,  suitably  near  the  deer's  run-away,  so  as  to  be  able  to 
bring  it  down  at  a  shot,  as  it  fled  at  the  noise  of  the  dogs 
from  the  mountain  to  the  river.  The  spot  he  selected  to  wait 
in  ambush  was  on  a  certain  flat,  very  near  the  foot  of  a 
steep  hill.  This  flat  was  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in 
length :  at  one  end  was  the  hill  by  which  our  hunter  stood ; 
at  the  other,  a  steep  bank  along  the  edge  of  the  river.  The 
hunter  had  chosen  his  position  well;  he  had  narrowly  ex- 
amined the  contents  of  his  rifle,  and  made  sure  that  the 
priming  was  in  good  order  ;  he  had  rubbed  the  edge  of  his 
flint  on  his  hat  to  make  it  brighter — all  was  in  readiness,  and 
he  stood  in  a  listening  attitude,  with  his  ear  turned  towards 
the  hill,  and  his  mouth  slightly  open  to  assist  his  hearing. 

He  had  not  waited  in  his  hiding-place  long,  when  the  dis- 
tant cry  of  the  hounds  struck  his  ear.  He  now  knew  that 
but  a  few  minutes  would  pass  before  a  deer  would  be  seen 
bounding  along  in  the  path  of  their  run-away,  for  the  dogs 
had  given  tokens  of  the  chase  by  their  yells.  He  was  not 
deceived ;  he  heard  plainly  the  rapid,  but  heavy  bounds  of  a 
deer,  which  in  an  instant  after  he  perceived,  as  it  broke  over 
the  brow  of  the  hill,  with  its  majestic  antlers  thrown  back 
over  its  neck.  Now  comes  the  decisive  moment ;  one  leap 

more  and  his  noble  breast  is  exposed  to  death,  within  a  few 

5* 


54  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

yards  of  the  fatal  gun  which  has  already  been  brought  to  the 
hunter's  cheek,  while  his  eye  looked  steadily  along  the  smooth 
barrel.  The  trigger  was  touched — a  blaze,  and  the  death- 
ring  struck  sharp  and  shrill  on  the  air.  The  fugitive,  a 
noble  buck,  fell,  and  the  hunter,  in  a  moment,  to  secure  his 
victim,  having  dropped  his  gun  and  drawn  his  knife,  sprung 
across  his  back  in  order  to  cut  his  throat. 

But,  behold  !  the  ball  had  struck  one  of  his  horns  only  near 
the  root,  which  stunned  the  animal  and  caused  it  to  fall.  He 
recovered  his  feet  again  before  the  hunter  had  time  to  wound 
him  with  his  knife,  and,  finding  his  enemy  on  his  back,  he 
rose  and  sprung  off  with  the  speed  of  an  arrow ;  while  the 
hunter,  having  full  occupation  for  his  hands  in  holding  fast 
by  the  horns,  found  no  time  to  invade  his  throat.  So,  cling- 
ing with  his  feet  under  the  belly  of  the  deer,  he  was  borne 
away  at  a  fearful  rate  the  whole  length  of  the  flat,  till  he 
came  to  the  steep  bank  of  the  river,  at  which  place  he  had 
no  sooner  arrived,  than,  with  his  rider,  the  deer  plunged  with 
a  tremendous  leap  into  the  deep  water. 

Here  a  scuffle  ensued  between  the  hunter  and  the  deer ; 
the  deer  endeavoring  to  push  him  under  water  with  his  fore- 
feet, while  the  hunter  was  striving  to  hold  its  head,  and  at 
the  same  time  cut  its  throat.  This  he  soon  accomplished, 
and,  swimming  ashore,  drew  his  prize  after  him,  declaring  to 
his  companions,  who  had  witnessed  the  sport,  and  were  now 
assembled  on  the  river's  bank,  that  he  had  had  a  "  most 
glorious  ride." 

This  man's  name  was  John  McMullen,  and  he  is  well 
remembered  even  now  by  many  of  the  old  inhabitants  along 
the  Susquehanna. 


the 


WHEN  Merritt  came  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  in  1815,  there 
were  numerous  elk  in  the  forests  of  this  state.  The  elk  is  of 
the  deer  species,  although  much  larger,  the  male,  like  that  of 
the  deer,  only  having  horns.  They  feed  in  the  winter  mostly 
upon  coarse  grass,  and  the  bark  of  trees.  They  usually  go  in 
droves.  In  1823,  says  Merritt,  "  I  started  three  in  the  north- 
west corner  of  this  township  ;  after  following  them  around 
awhile,  one  separated  from  the  others.  I  followed  that  one, 
and  at  night  came  within  two  miles  of  home.  I  went  home 
and  slept,  and  the  next  morning  I  took  my  brother  with  me, 
and  a  rope,  determining  to  catch  and  bring  it  in  alive.  We 
took  its  track,  there  being  a  little  snow,  and  often  came  in 
sight  of  it.  Many  times  we  might  have  shot  it ;  but  we  deter- 

(57) 


58  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

mined  to  halter  it.  The  next  night  found  us  about  fifteen 
miles  from  home.  The  third,  the  elk  became  worried  and 
hungry,  as  we  had  not  allowed  it  to  eat.  During  the  day  it 
ran  into  a  cleared  field,  and  the  dogs  there  stopped  and  held 
it.  It  was  a  cow  elk.  I  came  up  and  caught  my  right  arm 
over  its  neck,  and  with  my  left  hand  I  took  it  by  the  nose, 
She  soon  cleared  herself  from  the  dogs,  and  I  found  I  had  a 
wild  colt  to  handle.  She  carried  me  with  ease — frequently 
striking  at  me  with  her  fore-feet.  I  managed,  so  that  her 
feet  usually  went  one  upon  each  side  of  me  when  she  reared 
and  struck,  so  that  I  was  but  little  hurt.  I  would  then  have 
been  glad  to  be  out  of  that  scrape ;  but  the  difficulty  was  in 
letting  go.  We  soon  arrived  at  the  opposite  side  of  the  field, 
where  was  a  high  and  strong  fence.  With  my  weight  the  elk 
could  not  jump  the  fence,  and  I  here,  with  my  left  hand, 
caught  around  a  rail,  and  I  found  I  was  able  to  hold  the 
creature  down  until  my  brother  came  with  the  rope.  When 
this  was  fastened  to  her,  both  of  us  could  her.  With  the  aid 
of  a  crotched  stick,  to  keep  her  off,  we  led  her  to  a  log  stable, 
and  there  confined  her.  After  getting  help  so  as  to  have  one 
with  a  halter  upon  each  side,  and  one  behind  to  whip  up,  we 
succeeded  in  leading  her  home,  a  space  of  twenty-eight  miles." 
Merritt  says,  that  he  has  killed  or  caught  with  ropes,  over 
thirty  elk,  in  and  near  this  place.  They  have  now,  for  more 
than  eighteen  years,  all  disappeared  from  these  parts,  and  it 
will  soon  only  be  known  by  tradition,  or  from  history,  that 
such  animals  ever  roamed  our  forests. 


of  %  T^ir  dllegii 


UPON  the  great  western  plains  of  the  United  States,  and 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  are  found  a  class  of 
men,  unlike  any  other  upon  the  face  of  the  earth.  They  are 
whites,  and  generally  speak  a  language  which  might  be  called 
English  ;  but  they  possess  more  of  the  nature  of  the  roving 
red  men  than  of  the  feelings  and  habits  pertaining  to  the  civi- 
lized members  of  thefr  race.  To  nerves  of  steel,  which  fit 
them  to  endure  without  a  murmur  extremities  of  toil  and  tor- 
ment, they  unite  a  daring  and  restless  spirit,  for  which  there 
cannot  be  too  much  excitement.  War  and  the  chase  have 
for  them  charms  possessed  by  nothing  else  in  the  world. 

(59) 


60  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

Their  character  has  its  humorous  side,  also.  No  persons  can 
put  a  broader  estimate  upon  fun,  however  originated,  and 
around  their  camp-fires,  jokes  and  stories  are  cracked  and 
spun,  with  a  keen  relish.  Their  exaggerated  accounts,  ridicu- 
lous metaphors  and  comparisons,  and  slang-phrases,  are  truly 
mirth-provoking.  No  one  has  more  accurately  drawn  the 
character  and  life  of  these  men  of  the  prairies  and  mountains, 
than  George  Frederick  Ruxton,  a  young  Englishman,  who 
spent  a  considerable  time  among  them,  and  joined  in  all  their 
pursuits  and  pleasures,  with  a  sympathetic  spirit.  His  nar- 
rative, "Life  in  the  Far  West,"  has  all  the  correctness  of  a 
good  history,  and  the  picturesqueness  of  a  good  romance. 
The  following  account  of  an  attack  upon  the  camp  of  the 
hunters,  by  the  Indians,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
revenged,  will  illustrate  the  truth  of  our  comments. 

Away  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Platte,  where  several  small 
streams  run  into  the  south  fork  of  that  river,  and  head  in  the 
broken  ridges  of  the  "Divide"  which  separates  the  valleys 
of  the  Platte  and  Arkansas,  were  camped  a  band  of  trappers 
on  a  creek  called  Bijou.  It  was  the  month  of  October,  when 
the  early  frosts  of  the  coming  winter  had  crisped  and  dyed 
with  sober  brown  the  leaves  of  the  cherry  and  quaking  ash 
belting  the  brooks ;  and  the  ridges  and  peaks  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  were  already^  covered  with  a  glittering  mantle  of 
snow,  sparkling  in  the  still  powerful  rays  of  the  autumn  sun. 

The  camp  had  all  the  appearance  of  permanency ;  for  not 
only  did  it  comprise  one  or  two  unusually  comfortable  shan- 
ties, but  the  numerous  stages  on  which  huge  stripes  of  buf- 
falo meat  were  hanging  in  process  of  cure,  showed  that  the 
party  had  settled  themselves  here  in  order  to  lay  in  a  store 
of  provisions,  or  as  it  is  termed  in  the  language  of  the  moun- 
tains, "to  make  meat."  Round  the  camp  fed  twelve  or  fif- 
teen mules  and  horses,  their  fore-legs  confined  by  hobbles  of 
raw  hide ;  and,  guarding  these  animals,  two  men  paced  back- 
ward and  forward,  driving  in  the  stragglers,  ascending  ever 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  61 

and  anon  the  bluffs  which  overhung  the  river,  and  leaning  on 
their  long  rifles,  while  they  swept  with  their  eyes  the  sur- 
rounding prairie.  Three  or  four  fires  burned  in  the  encamp- 
ment, at  some  of  which  Indian  women  carefully  tended  sundry 
steaming  pots ;  while  round  one,  which  was  in  the  centre  of 
it,  four  or  five  stalwart  hunters,  clad  in  buckskin,  sat  cross- 
legged,  pipe  in  mouth. 

They  were  a  trapping  party  from  the  north  fork  of  Platte, 
on  their  way  to  wintering-ground  in  the  more  southern  valley 
of  the  Arkansas ;  some,  indeed,  meditating  a  more  extensive 
trip,  even  to  the  distant  settlements  of  New  Mexico,  the 
paradise  of  mountaineers.  The  elder  of  the  company  was  a 
tall,  gaunt  man,  with  a  face  browned  by  twenty  years'  expo- 
sure to  the  extreme  clime  of  the  mountains ;  his  long  black 
hair,  as  yet  scarcely  tinged  with  gray,  hanging  almost  to  his 
shoulders,  but  his  cheeks  and  chin  clean  shaven,  after  the 
fashion  of  the  mountain  men.  His  dress  was  the  usual  hunt- 
ing-frock of  buckskin,  with  long  fringes  down  the  seams,  with 
pantaloons  similarly  ornamented,  and  moccasons  of  Indian 
make.  While  his  companions  puffed  their  pipes  in  silence, 
he  narrated  a  few  of  his  former  experiences  of  western  life. 

As  all  the  mountaineers  sat  cross-legged  round  the  fire, 
pipe  in  mouth,  and  with  Indian  gravity,  listened  to  the  yarn 
of  the  old  trapper,  interrupting  him  with  an  occasional  wagh ! 
or  with  the  exclamation  of  some  participators  in  the  events 
then  under  narration,  who  would  every  now  and  then  put  in 
a  corroborative — "  This  child  remembers  that  fix,"  "  or  hyar's 
a  niggur  lifted  hair  on  that  spree,"  &c. — that  a  whizzing  noise 
was  heard  in  the  air,  followed  by  a  sharp  but  suppressed  cry 
from  one  of  the  hunters. 

In  an  instant  the  mountaineers  had  sprung  from  their 
seats,  and,  seizing  the  ever-ready  rifle,  each  one  had  thrown 
himself  on  the  ground  a  few  paces  beyond  the  light  of  the 
fire,  (for  it  was  now  nightfall ;)  but  not  a  word  escaped  them, 
as  lying  close,  with  their  keen  eyes  directed  towards  the 

6 


62  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

gloom  of  the  thicket,  near  which  the  camp  was  fixed,  with 
rifles  ready  cocked,  they  waited  a  renewal  of  the  attack. 
Presently  the  leader  of  the  band,  no  other  than  Killbuck,  who 
had  so  lately  been  recounting  some  of  his  experiences  across 
the  plains,  and  than  whom  no  more  crafty  woodsman  or  more 
expert  trapper  ever  tracked  a  deer  or  grained  a  beaver-skin, 
raised  his  tall,  leather-clad  form,  and  placing  his  hand  over 
his  mouth,  made  the  prairie  ring  with  the  wild,  protracted 
note  of  an  Indian  war-whoop.  This  was  instantly  repeated 
from  the  direction  where  the  animals  belonging  to  the  camp 
were  grazing,  under  the  charge  of  the  horse-guard.  Three 
shrill  whoops  answered  the  warning  of  the  leader,  and  showed 
the  guard  was  on  the  alert,  and  understood  the  signal.  How- 
ever, with  the  manifestation  of  their  presence  the  Indians 
appeared  to  be  satisfied ;  or,  what  is  more  probable,  the  act 
of  aggression  had  been  committed  by  some  daring  young 
warrior,  who,  being  out  on  his  first  expedition,  desired  to 
strike  the  first  coup,  and  thus  signalize  himself  at  the  outset 
of  the  campaign.  After  waiting  some  few  minutes,  expecting 
a  renewal  of  the  attack,  the  mountaineers  in  a  body  rose 
from  the  ground  and  made  toward  the  animals,  with  which 
they  presently  returned  to  the  camp ;  and,  after  carefully 
hobbling  and  securing  them  to  pickets  firmly  driven  into  the 
ground,  mounting  an  additional  guard,  and  examining  the 
neighboring  thicket,  they  once  more  assembled  round  the 
fire,  relit  their  pipes,  and  puffed  away  the  cheering  weed  as 
composedly  as  if  no  such  being  as  Redskins,  thirsting  for 
their  lives,  was  within  a  thousand  miles  of  their  perilous 
encampment. 

"If  ever  thar  was  bad  Injuns  on  these  plains,"  at  last 
growled  Killbuck,  biting  hard  the  pipe-stem  between  his  teeth, 
"it's  these  Rapahos,  and  the  meanest  kind  at  that." 

"  Can't  beat  the  Blackfeet,  any  how,"  chimed  in  La  Bonte, 
from  the  Yellow  Stone  country,  a  fine  handsome  specimen 
of  a  mountaineer.  "  However,  one  of  you  quit  this  arrow 


A  BLACKFOOT  WARRIOR. 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  65 

out  of  my  hump,"  he  continued,  bending  forward  to  the  fire, 
and  exhibiting  an  arrow  sticking  out  under  his  right  shoulder 
blade,  and  a  stream  of  blood  trickling  down  his  buckskin  coat 
from  the  wound.  . 

This  his  nearest  neighbor  essayed  to  do ;  but  finding,  after 
a  tug,  that  it  "would  not  come,"  expressed  his  opinion  that 
the  offending  weapon  would  have  to  be  "  butchered"  out.  This 
was  accordingly  effected  with  the  ready  blade  of  a  scalp-knife ; 
and  a  handful  of  beaver-fur  being  placed  on  the  wound,  ^nd 
secured  by  a  strap  of  buckskin  round  the  body,  the  wounded 
man  donned  his  hunting-shirt  once  more,  and  coolly  set  about 
lighting  his  pipe,  his  rifle  lying  across  his  lap,  cocked,  and 
ready  for  use. 

It  was  now  near  midnight — dark  and  misty ;  and  the  clouds, 
rolling  away  to  the  eastward  from  the  lofty  ridges  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  were  gradually  obscuring  the  dim  starlight. 
As  the  lighter  vapors  faded  from  the  mountains,  a  thick 
black  cloud  succeeded  them,  and  settled  over  the  loftier  peaks 
of  the  chain,  faintly  visible  through  the  gloom  of  night,  while 
a  mass  of  fleecy  scud  soon  overspread  the  whole  sky.  A  hol- 
low moaning  sound  crept  through  the  valley,  and  the  upper 
branches  of  the  cotton  woods,  with  their  withered  leaves,  be- 
gan to  rustle  with  the  first  breath  of  the  coming  storm.  Huge 
drops  of  rain  fell  at  intervals,  hissing  as  they  dropped  into 
the  blazing  fires,  and  pattering  on  the  skins  with  which  the 
hunters  hurriedly  covered  the  exposed  baggage.  The  mules 
near  the  camp  cropped  the  grass  with  quick  and  greedy  bites 
round  the  circuit  of  their  pickets,  as  if  conscious  that  the 
storm  would  soon  prevent  their  feeding,  and  already  humped 
their  backs  as  the  chilling  rain  fell  upon  their  flanks.  The 
prairie  wolves  crept  closer  to  the  camp,  and  in  the  con- 
fusion that  ensued  from  the  hurry  of  the  trappers  to  cover 
the  perishable  portions  of  their  equipment,  contrived  more 
than  once  to  dart  off  with  a  piece  of  meat,  when  their  peculiar 

6* 


bb  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

and  mournful  chiding  would  be  heard  as  they  fought  for  the 
possession  of  the  ravished  morsel. 

When  every  thing  was  duly  protected,  the  men  set  to 
work  to  spread  their  beds,  those  who  had  not  troubled  them- 
selves to  erect  a  shelter  getting  under  the  lee  of  the  piles  of 
packs  and  saddles ;  while  Killbuck,  disdaining  even  such  care 
of  his  carcass,  threw  his  buffalo  robe  on  the  bare  ground,  de- 
claring his  intention  to  "  take"  what  was  coming  at  all  hazards, 
and  "any  how."  Selecting  a  high  spot,  he  drew  his  knife 
and  proceeded  to  cut  drains  round  it  to  prevent  the  water 
running  into  him  as  he  lay ;  then  taking  a  single  robe  he 
carefully  spread  it,  placing  under  the  end  farthest  from  the 
fire  a  large  stone  brought  from  the  creek.  Having  satisfac- 
torily adjusted  this  pillow,  he  added  another  robe  to  the  one 
already  laid,  and  placed  over  all  a  Navajo  blanket,  supposed 
to  be  impervious  to  rain.  Then  he  divested  himself  of  his 
pouch  and  powder-horn,  which,  with  his  rifle,  he  placed  inside 
his  bed,  and  quickly  covered  up,  lest  the  wet  should  reach 
them.  Having  performed  these  operations  to  his  satisfaction, 
he  lighted  his  pipe  by  the  hissing  embers  of  the  half  extin- 
guished fire  (for  by  this  time  the  rain  poured  in  torrents,) 
and  went  the  rounds  of  the  picketed  animals,  cautioning  the 
guard  round  the  camp  to  keep  their  "  eyes  skinned,  for  there 
would  be  4  powder  burned'  before  morning."  Then  return- 
ing to  the  fire,  and  kicking  with  his  mocassoned  foot  the 
slumbering  ashes,  he  squatted  down  before  it,  and  thus 
soliloquized — 

"  Thirty  years  have  I  been  knocking  about  these  mountains 
from  Missoura's  head  as  far  sothe  as  starving  Gila.  I've 
trapped  a  'heap,'  and  many  a  hundred  pack  of  beaver  I've 
traded  in  my  time,  wagh !  What  has  come  of  it,  whar's  the 
dollars  as  ought  to  be  in  my  possibles  ?  Whar's  the  ind  of 
this,  I  say  ?  Is  a  man  to  be  hunted  by  Injuns  all  his  days  ? 
Many's  the  time  I've  said  I'd  strike  for  Taos,  and  trap  a 
squaw,  for  this  child's  getting  old,  and  feels  like  wanting  a 


KAPAHO  INDIANS. 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  69 

woman's  face  about  his  lodge  for  the  balance  of  his  days ; 
but  when  it  comes  to  caching  of  the  old  traps,  I've  the  smallest 
kind  of  heart,  I  have.  Certain,  the  old  state  come  across  my 
mind  now  and  agin,  but  who's  thar  to  remember  my  old  body  ? 
But  them  diggings  get  too  overcrowded  nowadays,  and  it  is 
hard  to  fetch  breath  amongst  them  big  bands  of  corncrackers 
to  Missoura.  Beside,  it  goes  against  natur  to  leave  bufler 
meat  and  feed  on  hog ;  and  them  white  gals  are  too  much 
like  picturs,  and  a  deal  too  '  fofaraw'  (fanfaron.)  No  ;  darn 
the  settlements,  I  say.  It  won't  shine,  and  whar's  the  dollars  ? 
Howsever,  beaver's  'bound  to  rise;'  human  natur  can't  go 
on  selling  beaver  a  dollar  a  pound ;  no,  no,  that  arn't  going 
to  shine  much  longer,  I  know.  Them  was  the  times  when 
this  child  first  went  to  the  mountains  :  six  dollars  the  plew — 
old  'un  or  kitten.  Wagh  !  but  it's  bound  to  rise,  I  says  agin; 
and  hyar's  a  coon  knows  whar  to  lay  his  hand  on  a  dozen 
pack  right  handy,  and  then  he'll  take  the  Taos  trail,  wagh !" 

Thus  soliloquizing,  Killbuck  knocked  the  ashes  from  his 
pipe,  and  placed  it  in  the  gayly  ornamented  case  that  hung 
round  his  neck,  drew  his  knife-belt  a  couple  of  holes  tighter, 
resuming  his  pouch  and  powder-horn,  took  his  rifle,  whicUTie 
carefully  covered  with  the  folds  of  his  Navajo  blanket,  and 
striding  into  the  darkness,  cautiously  reconnoitered  the  vici- 
nity of  the  camp.  When  he  returned  to  the  fire  he  sat  him- 
self down  as  before,  but  this  time  with  his  rifle  across  his  lap  ; 
and  at  intervals  his  keen  gray  eye  glanced  piercingly  around, 
particularly  towards  an  old,  weather-beaten,  and  grizzled 
mule,  who  now,  old  stager  as  she  was,  having  filled  her  belly, 
stood  lazily  over  her  picket-pin,  with  her  head  bent  down  and 
her  long  ears  flapping  over  her  face,  her  limbs  gathered  under 
her,  and  her  back  arched  to  throw  off  the  rain,  tottering  from 
side  to  side  as  she  rested  and  slept. 

"  Yep,  old  gal !"  cried  Killbuck  to  the  animal,  at  the  same 
time  picking  a  piece  of  burnt  wood  from  the  fire  and  throw- 
ing it  at  her,  at  which  the  mule  gathered  itself  up  and  cocked 


70  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


KILLBUCK'S  MULE. 

her  ears  as  she  recognised  her  master's  voice.  "  Yep,  old 
gal !  and  keep  your  nose  open ;  thar's  brown  skin  about,  I'm 
thinkin',  and  maybe  you'll  get  roped,  (lassooed)  by  a  Rapaho, 
afore  mornin'." 

Again  the  old  trapper  settled  himself  before  the  fire  ;  and 
soon  his  head  began  to  nod,  as  drowsiness  stole  over  him. 
Already  he  was  in  the  land  of  dreams  ;  revelling  among  bands 
of  "fat  cow,"  or  hunting  along  a  stream  well  peopled  with 
beaver ;  with  no  Indian  "  sign"  to  disturb  him,  and  the  merry 
rendezvous  in  close  perspective,  and  his  peltry  selling  briskly 
at  six  dollars  the  plew,  and  galore  of  alcohol  to  ratify  the 
trade.  Or,  perhaps,  threading  the  back  trail  of  Jiis  memory, 
he  passed  rapidly  through  the  perilous  vicissitudes  of  his  hard, 
hard  life — starving  one  day,  revelling  in  abundance  the  next; 
now  beset  by  whooping  savages  thirsting  for  his  blood,  baying 
his  enemies  like  a  hunted  deer,  but  with  the  unflinching  cou- 
rage of  a  man ;  now,  all  care  thrown  aside,  secure  and  for- 
getful of  the  past,  a  welcome  guest  in  the  hospitable  trading 
fort ;  or  back,  as  the  trail  gets  fainter,  to  his  childhood's 
home  in  the  brown  forests  of  old  Kentuck,  tended  and  cared 


KILLBUCK  AT  A  TRADING  POST. 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  73 

for — his  only  thought  to  enjoy  the  hommony  and  johnny  cakes 
of  his  thrifty  mother.  Once  more,  in  warm  and  well  remem- 
bered homespun,  he  sits  on  the  snake  fence  round  the  old 
clearing,  and  munching  his  hoe-cake  at  set  of  sun,  listens  to 
the  mournful  note  of  the  whip-poor-will,  or  the  harsh  cry  of 
the  noisy  cat-bird,  or  watches  the  agile  gambols  of  the  squirrels 
as  they  chase  each  other,  chattering  the  while,  from  branch 
to  branch  of  the  lofty  tamarisks,  wondering  how  long  it  will 
be  before  he  will  be  able  to  lift  his  father's  heavy  rifle,  and 
use  it  against  the  tempting  game.  Sleep,  however,  sat  lightly 
on  the  eyes  of  the  wary  mountaineer,  and  a  snort  from  the 
old  mule  in  an  instant  stretched  his  every  nerve.  Without  a 
movement  of  his  body,  his  keen  eye  fixed  itself  upon  the  mule, 
which  now  stood  with  head  bent  round,  and  eyes  and  ears 
pointed  in  one  direction,  snuffing  the  night  air,  and  snorting 
with  apparent  fear.  A  low  sound  from  the  wakeful  hunter 
roused  the  others  from  their  sleep ;  and  raising  their  bodies 
from  their  well-soaked  beds,  a  single  word  apprised  them  of 
their  danger. 

"Injuns!" 

Scarcely  was  the  word  out  of  Killbuck's  lips  when,  above 
the  howling  of  the  furious  wind,  and  the  pattering  of  the  rain, 
a  hundred  savage  yells  broke  suddenly  upon  their  ears  from 
all  directions  round  the  camp ;  a  score  of  rifle-shots  rattled 
from  the  thicket,  and  a  cloud  of  arrows  whistled  through  the 
air,  while  a  crowd  of  Indians  charged  upon  the  picketed  ani- 
mals, "  Owgh,  owgh — owgh — owgh — g-h-h."  "Afoot,  by 
gor  !"  shouted  Killbuck,  "  and  the  old  mule  gone  at  that.  On 
'em,  boys,  for  old  Kentuck  !"  And  he  rushed  toward  his 
mule,  which  jumped  and  snorted,  mad  with  fright,  as  a  naked 
Indian  strove  to  fasten  a  lariet  round  her  nose,  having  already 
cut  the  rope  which  fastened  her  to  the  picket  pin. 

"Quit  that,  you  cussed  devil!"  roared  the  trapper,  as  he 
jumped  upon  the  savage,  and  without  raising  his  rifle  to  his 
shoulder,  made  a  deliberate  thrust  with  the  muzzle  at  his 

7 


74  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

naked  breast,  striking  him  full,  and  at  the  same  time  pulling 
the  trigger,  actually  driving  the  Indian  two  paces  backward 
with  the  shock,  when  he  fell  in  a  heap,  and  dead.  But  at  the 
same  moment,  an  Indian,  sweeping  his  club  round  his  head, 
brought  it  with  fatal  force  down  upon  Killbuck ;  for  a  moment 
the  hunter  staggered,  threw  out  his  arms  wildly  into  the  air, 
and  fell  headlong  to  the  ground. 

"  Owgh  !  owgh !  owgh-h-h  !"  cried  the  Rapaho,  and  strid- 
ing over  the  prostrate  body,  he  seized  with  his  left  hand  the 
middle  lock  of  the  trapper's  long  hair,  and  drew  his  knife 
round  the  head  to  separate  the  scalp  from  the  skull.  As  he 
bent  over  his  work,  the  trapper  named  La  Bonte  saw  his 
companion's  peril,  rushed  quick  as  thought  at  the  Indian,  and 
buried  his  knife  to  the  hilt  between  his  shoulders.  With  a 
gasping  shudder  the  Rapaho  fell  dead  upon  the  prostrate 
body  of  his  foe. 

The  attack,  hoAvever,  lasted  but  a  few  seconds.  The  dash 
at  the  animals  had  been  entirely  successful,  and,  driving  them 
before  them,  with  loud  cries,  the  Indians  disappeared  in  the 
darkness.  Without  waiting  for  daylight,  two  of  the  three 
trappers  who  alone  were  to  be  seen,  and  who  had  been  within 
the  shanties  at  the  time  of  attack,  without  a  moment's  delay 
commenced  packing  two  horses,  which  having  been  fastened 
to  the  shanties  had  escaped  the  Indians,  and  placing  their  squaws 
upon  them,  showering  curses  and  imprecations  upon  their 
enemies,  left  the  camp,  fearful  of  another  onset,  and  resolved 
to  retreat  and  cache  themselves  until  the  danger  was  over. 
Not  so  La  Bonte,  who,  stout  and  true,  had  done  his  best  in 
the  fight  and  now  sought  the  body  of  his  old  comrade,  from 
which,  before  he  could  examine  the  wounds,  he  had  first  to 
remove  the  corpse  of  the  Indian  he  had  slain.  Killbuck  stil] 
breathed.  He  had  been  stunned ;  but,  revived  by  the  cold 
rain  beating  upon  his  face,  he  soon  opened  his  eyes,  and 
recognised  his  trusty  friend,  who,  sitting  down,  lifted  his  head 
into  his  lap,  and  wiped  away  the  blood  that  streamed  from  the 


SCALPING. 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  IN  THE  FAR  WEST.  77 

wounded  scalp.     "Is  the  top-knot  gone,  boy?"  asked  Kill 
buck;  "for  my  head  feels  queersome,  I  tell  you." 

"Thar's  the  Injun  as  felt  like  lifting  it,"  answered  the 
other,  kicking  the  dead  body  with  his  foot. 

"  Wagh  !  boy,  you've  struck  a  coup  ;  so  scalp  the  nagger 
right  off,  and  then  fetch  me  a  drink." 

The  morning  broke  clear  and  cold.  With  the  exception  of 
a  light  cloud  which  hung  over  Pike's  Peak,  the  sky  was 
spotless ;  and  a  perfect  calm  had  succeeded  the  boisterous 
storm  of  the  previous  night.  The  creek  was  swollen  and  turbid 
with  the  rains ;  and  as  La  Bonte  proceeded  a  little  distance 
down  the  bank  to  find  a  passage  to  the  water,  he  suddenly 
stopped  short,  and  an  involuntary  cry  escaped  him.  Within 
a  few  feet  of  the  bank  lay  the  body  of  one  of  his  companions, 
who  had  formed  the  guard  at  the  time  of  the  Indians'  attack. 
It  was  lying  on  the  face,  pierced  through  the  chest  with  an 
arrow  which  was  buried  to  the  very  feathers,  and  the  scalp 
torn  from  the  bloody  skull.  Beyond,  but  all  within  a  hun- 
dred yards,  lay  the  three  others,  dead,  and  similarly  muti- 
lated. So  certain  had  been  the  aim,  and  so  close  the  enemy, 
that  each  had  died  without  a  struggle,  and  consequently 
had  been  unable  to  alarm  the  camp.  La  Bonte,  with  a  glance 
at  the  bank,  saw  at  once  that  the  wily  Indians  had  crept 
along  the  creek,  the  noise  of  the  storm  facilitating  their  ap- 
proach undiscovered,  and  crawling  up  the  bank,  had  watched 
their  opportunity  to  shoot  the  four  hunters  on  guard. 

Returning  to  Killbuck,  he  apprised  him  of  the  melancholy 
fate  of  their  companions,  and  held  a  council  of  war  as  to 
their  proceedings.  The  old  hunter's  mind  was  soon  made  up. 
"First,"  said  he,  "I  get  back  my  old  mule;  she's  carried 
me  and  my  traps  these  twelve  years,  and  I  aint  a  goin'  to 
lose  her  yet.  Second,  I  feel  like  taking  hair,  and  some 
Hapahos  has  to  '  go  under'  for  this  night's  work.  Third  We 
have  got  to  cache  the  beaver.  Fourth  We  take  the  Injun 
trail,  wharever  it  leads. 

7* 


78  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

No  more  daring  mountaineer  than  La  Bonte  ever  trapped 
a  beaver,  and  no  counsel  could  have  more  exactly  tallied  with 
his  own  inclination  than  the  law  laid  down  by  old  Killbuck. 

"  Agreed,"  was  his  answer,  and  forthwith  he  set  about 
forming  a  cache.  In  this  instance  they  had  not  sufficient  time 
to  construct  a  regular  one,  so  they  contented  themselves  with 
securing  their  packs  of  beaver  in  bnfialo  robes,  and  tying 
them  in  the  forks  of  several  cotton-woods,  under  which  the 
camp  had  been  made.  This  done,  they  lit  a  fire,  and  cooked 
some  buffalo  meat:  and,  while  smoking  a  pipe,  carefully 
cleaned  their  rifles  and  filled  their  horns  and  pouches  with  a 
good  stock  of  ammunition. 

A  prominent  feature  in  the  character  of  the  hunters  of  the 
far  west  is  their  quick  determination  and  resolves  in  cases  of 
extreme  difficulty  and  peril,  and  their  fixedness  of  purpose, 
when  any  plan  of  operations  has  been  laid,  requiring  bold  and 
instant  action  in  carrying  out.  It  is  here  that  they  so  infi- 
nitely surpass  the  savage  Indian,  in  bringing  to  a  successful 
issue  their  numerous  hostile  expeditions  against  the  natural 
foe  of  the  white  man  in  the  wild  and  barbarous  regions  of  the 
west.  Ready  to  resolve  as  they  are  prompt  to  execute,  and 
combining  far  greater  dash  and  daring  with  equal  subtlety 
and  caution,  they  possess  great  advantage  over  the  vacillat- 
ing Indian,  whose  superstitious  mind  in  a  great  degree  para- 
lyzes the  physical  energy  of  his  active  body ;  ^nd  who,  by 
waiting  for  propitious  signs  and  seasons  before  he  undertakes 
an  enterprise,  often  loses  the  opportunity  by  which  his  white 
and  more  civilized  enemy  knows  how  to  profit. 

Killbuck  and  La  Bonte  were  no  exceptions  to  this  charac- 
teristic rule ;  and  before  the  sun  was  a  hand's-breadth  above 
the  eastern  horizen,  the  two  hunters  were  running  on  the  trail 
of  the  victorious  Indians.  Striking  from  the  creek  where  the 
night  attack  was  made,  they  crossed  to  another,  known  as 
Kioway,  running  parallel  to  Bijou,  a  few  hours' journey  west- 
ward, and  likewise  heading  in  the  "  divide."  Following  this 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  81 

to  its  forks,  they  struck  into  the  upland  prairies  lying  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountains ;  and  crossing  to  the  numerous  water- 
courses which  feed  the  creek  called  "  Vermilion,"  or  "  Cherry," 
they  pursued  the  trail  over  the  mountain  spurs  until  it  reached 
a  fork  of  the  Boiling  Spring.  Here  the  war-party  had  halted 
and  held  a  consultation,  for  from  this  point  the  trail  turned  at 
a  tangent  to  the  westward,  and  entered  the  rugged  gorges  of 
mountains.  It  was  now  evident  to  the  two  trappers  that  their 
destination  was  the  Bayou  Slade — a  mountain  valley  which, 
is  a  favorite  resort  of  the  buffalo  in  the  winter  season,  and 
which,  and  for  this  reason,  is  often  frequented  by  the  Yuta 
Indians  as  their  wintering-ground.  That  the  Rapahos  were 
on  a  war  expedition  aganst  the  Yutas,  there  was  little  doubt ; 
and  Killbuck,  who  knew  every  inch  of  the  ground,  saw  at  once, 
by  the  direction  the  trail  had  taken,  that  they  were  making  for 
the  Bayou  in  order  to  surprise  their  enemies,  and,  therefore, 
were  not  following  the  usual  Indian  trail  up  the  canon  of  the 
Boiling  Spring  river.  Having  made  up  his  mind  to  this,  he 
at  once  struck  across  the  broken  ground  lying  at  the  foot  of 
the  mountains,  steering  a  course  a  little  to  the  eastward  of 
north,  or  almost  in  the  direction  whence  he  had  come :  and 
then,  pointing  westward,  about  noon  he  crossed  the  mountain 
chain,  and  descending  in  a  ravine  through  which  a  little  rivulet 
tumbled  over  its  rocky  bed,  he  at  once  proved  the  correctness 
of  his  judgment  by  striking  the  Indian  trail,  now  quite  fresh, 
as  it  wound  through  the  canon  along  the  bank  of  the  stream. 
The  route  he  had  followed,  impracticable  to  pack-animals,  had 
saved  at  least  half  a  day's  journey,  and  brought  them  within 
a  short  distance  of  the  object  of  their  pursuit ;  for,  at  the 
head  of  the  gorge,  a  lofty  bluff  presenting  itself,  the  hunters 
ascended  to  the  summit,  and,  looking  down,  described  at  their 
very  feet  the  Indian  camp,  with  their  own  stolen  cavallada 
feeding  quietly  round. 

"  Wah  !"  exclaimed  both  the  hunters  in  a  breath.     "And 
thar's  the  old  gal  at  that,"  chuckled  Killbuck,  as  he  recog- 


82  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

nised  his  old  grizzled  mule  making  good  play  at  the  rich 
buffalo  grass  with  which  these  mountain  valleys  abound. 

"  If  we  don't  make  i  a  raise'  afore  long,  I  wouldn't  say  so. 
Thar  plans  is  plain  to  this  child  as  beaver  sign.  They're  after 
Yuta  hair,  as  certain  as  this  gun  has  hind-sights ;  but  they 
arn't  a-goin'  to  pack  them  animals  after  'em,  and  have  crawled 
like  4  rattlers'  along  this  bottom  to  cache  'em  till  they  come 
back  from  the  Bayou — and  maybe  they'll  leave  half  a  dozen 
4  soldiers'  with  'em." 

How  right  the  wily  trapper  was  in  his  conjectures  will  be 
shortly  proved.  Meanwhile,  with  his  companion,  he  descended 
the  bluff,  and  pushing  his  way  into  a  thicket  of  dwarf  pine 
and  cedar,  sat  down  on  a  log,  and  drew  from  an  end  of  the 
blanket,  strapped  on  his  shoulder,  a  portion  of  a  buffalo's 
liver,  which  they  both  discussed,  raw,  with  infinite  relish ; 
eating  in  lieu  of  bread,  (an  unknown  luxury  in  these  parts) 
sundry  strips  of  dried  fat.  To  have  kindled  a  fire  would 
have  been  dangerous,  since  it  was  not  impossible  that  some 
of  the  Indians  might  leave  their  camp  to  hunt,  when  the 
smoke  would  at  once  have  betrayed  the  presence  of  enemies. 
A  light  was  struck,  however,  for  their  pipes,  and  after  enjoy- 
ing this  consolation  for  some  time,  they  laid  a  blanket  on  the 
ground,  and  side  by  side,  soon  fell  asleep. 

If  Killbuck  had  been  a  prophet,  or  the  most  prescient  of 
"medicine-men,"  he  could  not  have  more  exactly  predicted 
the  movements  in  the  Indian  camp.  About  three  hours  before 
"  sun-down,"  he  rose  and  shook  himself,  which  movement  was 
sufficient  to  awaken  his  companion.  Telling  La  Bonte  to  lie 
down  again  and  rest,  he  gave  him  to  understand  that  he  was 
about  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  camp ;  and  after  carefully 
examining  his  rifle,  and  drawing  his  knife-belt  a  hole  or  two 
tighter,  he  proceeded  on  his  dangerous  errand.  Ascending 
the  same  bluff  whence  he  had  first  discovered  the  Indian  camp, 
he  glanced  rapidly  around,  and  made  himself  master  of  the 
features  of  the  ground — choosing  a  ravine  by  which  he  might 


INDIAN  COUNCIL. 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OP  THE  FAR  WEST.  85 

approach  the  camp  more  closely,  and  without  danger  of  "being 
discovered.  This  was  soon  effected ;  and  in  half  an  hour  the 
trapper  was  lying  on  his  belly  on  the  summit  of  a  pine-covered 
bluff,  which  overlooked  the  Indians  within  easy  rifle-shot,  and 
so  perfectly  concealed  by  the  low  spreading  branches  of  the 
cedar  and  arbor-vitae,  that  not  a  particle  of  his  person  could 
be  detected ;  unless,  indeed,  his  sharp  twinkling  gray  eye 
contrasted  too  strongly  with  the  green  boughs  that  covered 
the  rest  of 'his  face.  Moreover,  there  was  no  danger  of  their 
hitting  upon  his  trail,  for  he  had  been  careful  to  pick  his  steps 
on  the  rock-covered  ground,  so  that  not  a  track  of  his  moccason 
was  visible.  Here  he  lay,  still  as  a  carcagien  in  wait  for  a 
deer,  only  now  and  then  shaking  the  boughs  as  his  body 
quivered  with  a  suppressed  chuckle,  when  any  movement  in 
the  Indian  camp  caused  him  to  laugh  inwardly  at  his  (if  they 
had  known  it)  unwelcome  proquinity.  He  was  not  a  little 
surprised,  however,  to  discover  that  the  party  was  much 
smaller  than  he  had  imagined,  counting  only  forty  warriors ; 
and  this  assured  him  that  the  band  had  divided,  one  half  tak- 
ing the  Yuta  trail  by  the  Boiling  Spring,  the  other  (the  one 
before  him)  taking  a  longer  circuit  in  order  to  reach  the 
Bayou,  and  make  the  attack  on  the  Yutas  in  a  different 
direction. 

At  this  moment  the  Indians  were  in  deliberation.  Seated 
in  a  large  circle  round  a  very  small  fire,  the  smoke  of  which 
ascended  in  a  thin  straight  column,  they  each  in  turn  puffed 
a  huge  cloud  of  smoke  from  three  or  four  long  cherry-stemmed 
pipes,  which  went  the  round  of  the  party;  each  warrior 
touching  the  ground  with  the  heel  of  the  pipe-bowl,  and  turn- 
ing the  stem  upward  and  away  from  him  as  "medicine"  to 
the  Great  Spirit,  before  he  himself  inhaled  the  fragrant  kin- 
nik-kinnik.  The  council,  however,  was  not  general,  for  only 
fifteen  of  the  old  warriors  took  part  in  it,  the  others  sitting 
outside  and  at  some  little  distance  from  the  circle.  Behind 

each  were  his  arms — bow  and  quiver,  and  shield  hanging  from 

8 


86  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

a  spear  stuck  in  the  ground,  and  a  few  guns  hung  in  orna- 
mented covers  of  buckskin  were  added  to  some  of  the  equip- 
ments. Near  the  fire,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  inner  circle, 
a  spear  was  fixed  upright  in  the  ground,  and  on  this  dangled 
the  four  scalps  of  the  trappers  killed  the  preceding  night ; 
and  underneath  them,  affixed  to  the  same  spear,  was  the  mys- 
tic "  medicine-bag,"  by  which  Killbuck  knew  that  the  band 
before  him  was  under  the  command  of  the  principal  chief  of 
the  tribe. 

Toward  the  grim  trophies  on  the  spear,  the  warriors,  who 
in  turn  addressed  the  council,  frequently  pointed — more  than 
one,  as  he  did  so,  making  the  gyratory  motion  of  the  right 
hand  and  arm,  which  the  Indians  use  in  describing  that  they 
have  gained  an  advantage  by  skill  or  cunning.  Then  pointing 
westward,  the  speaker  would  thrust  out  his  arm,  extending 
his  fingers  at  the  same  time,  and  closing  and  reopening  them 
repeatedly,  meaning,  that  although  four  scalps  already  orna- 
mented the  "medicine"  pole,  they  were  as  nothing  compared 
to  the  numerous  trophies  they  would  bring  from  the  Salt 
Valley,  where  they  expected  to  find  their  hereditary  enemies 
the  Yutas.  "  That  now  was  not  the  time  to  count  their 
coups,"  (for  at  this  moment  one  of  the  warriors  rose  from  his 
seat,  and,  swelling  with  pride,  advanced  toward  the  spear, 
pointing  to  one  of  the  scalps,  and  then  striking  his  open  hand 
on  his  naked  breast,  jumped  into  the  air,  as  if  about  to  go 
through  the  ceremony.)  "  That  before  many  suns  all  their 
spears  together  would  not  hold  the  scalps  they  had  taken,  and 
they  would  return  to  their  village  and  spend  a  moon  relating 
their  achievements,  and  counting  coups." 

All  this  Killbuck  learned — thanks  to  his  knowledge  of  the 
language  of  signs — a  master  of  which,  even  if  he  have  no 
ears  or  tongue,  never  fails  to  understand,  and  be  understood 
by,  any  of  the  hundred  tribes  whose  languages  are  perfectly 
distinct  and  different.  He  learned,  moreover,  that  at  sun- 
down the  greater  part  of  the  band  would  resume  the  trail,  in 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  87 

order  to  reach  the  Bayou  by  the  earliest  dawn ;  and  also, 
that  no  more  than  four  or  five  of  the  younger  warriors  would 
remain  with  the  captured  animals.  Still  the  hunter  remained 
in  his  position  until  the  sun  had  disappeared  behind  the  ridge ; 
when,  taking  up  their  arms,  and  throwing  their  buffalo  robes 
on  their  shoulders,  the  war  party  of  Rapahos,  one  behind  the 
other,  with  noiseless  step,  and  silent  as  the  dumb,  moved 
away  from  the  camp.  When  the  last  dusky  form  had  disap- 
peared behind  a  point  of  rocks  which  shut  in  the  northern 
end  of  the  little  valley  or  ravine,  Killbuck  withdrew  his  head 
from  the  screen,  crawled  backwards  on  his  stomach  from  the 
edge  of  the  bluff,  and,  rising  from  the  ground,  shook  and 
stretched  himself ;  then  gave  one  cautious  look  around,  and 
immediately  proceeded  to  rejoin  his  companion. 

"  Lave  (get  up,)  boy,"  said  Killbuck,  as  soon  as  he  reached 
him.  "Hyar's  grainin'  to  do  afore  long — and  sun  about 
down,  I'm  thinking." 

"  Ready,  old  hos,"  answered  La  Bonte,  giving  himself  a 
shake.  "What's  the  sign  like,  and  how  many's  the  lodge  ?" 

"  Fresh,  and  five,  boy.     How  do  you  feel  ?" 

"  Half  froze  for  hair  !     Wagh  !" 

"  We'll  have  moon  to-night,  and  as  soon  as  she  gets  up, 
we'll  make  'em  '  come.'  ' 

Killbuck  then  described  to  his  companion  what  he  had 
seen,  and  detailed  his  plan.  This  was  simply  to  wait  until 
the  moon  afforded  sufficient  light,  then  approach  the  Indian 
camp  and  charge  into  it,  "  lift"  as  much  "  hair"  as  they  could, 
recover  their  animals,  and  start  at  once  to  the  Bayou  and 
join  the  friendly  Yutas,  warning  them  of  the  coming  danger. 
The  risk  of  falling  in  with  either  of  the  Rapaho  bands  was 
hardly  considered ;  to  avoid  this,  they  trusted  to  their  own 
foresight,  and  the  legs  of  their  mules,  should  they  encounter 
them. 

Between  sundown  and  the  rising  of  the  moon,  they  had 
leisure  to  eat  their  -supper,  which,  as  before,  consisted  of  raw 


88  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

buffalo  liver;  after  discussing  which,  Killbuck  pronounced 
hiinself  "a  'heap'  better,  and  ready  for  "huggin'." 

In  the  short  interval  of  almost  perfect  darkness  which  pre- 
ceded the  moonlight,  and  taking  advantage  of  one  of  the  fre- 
quent squalls  of  wind  which  howl  down  the  narrow  gorges  of 
the  mountains,  these  two  determined  men,  with  footsteps 
noiseless  as  the  panther's,  crawled  to  the  edge  of  the  little 
plateau  of  some  hundred  yards  square,  where  the  five  Indians 
in  charge  of  the  animals  were  seated  round  a  fire,  perfectly 
unconscious  of  the  vicinity  of  danger.  Several  clumps  of 
cedar  bushes  dotted  the  small  prairie,  and  among  these  the 
well-hobbled  mules  and  horses  were  feeding.  These  animals, 
accustomed  to  the  presence  of  whites,  would  not  notice  the 
two  hunters  as  they  crept  from  clump  to  clump,  nearer  to  the 
fire,  and  also  served,  even  if  the  Indians  should  be  on  the 
watch,  to  conceal  their  movements  from  them. 

This  the  two  men  at  once  perceived ;  but  old  Killbuck  knew 
that  if  he  passed  wTithin  sight  or  smell  of  his  mule,  he  would 
be  received  with  a  hinny  of  recognition,  which  would  at  once 
alarm  the  enemy.  He  therefore  first  ascertained  where  his 
own  animal  was  feeding,  which  luckily  was  at  the  father  side 
of  the  prairie,  and  would  not  interfere  with  his  proceedings. 

Threading  their  way  among  the  feeding  mules,  they  ap- 
proached a  clump  of  bushes  about  forty  yards  from  the  spot 
where  the  unconscious  savages  were  seated  smoking  round  the 
fire ;  and  here  they  awaited,  scarcely  drawing  breath  the  while, 
the  moment  when  the  moon  rose  above  the  mountain  into  the 
clear  cold  sky,  and  gave  them  light  sufficient  to  make  sure 
their  work  of  bloody  retribution.  Not  a  pulsation  in  the  hearts 
of  these  stern,  determined  men  beat  higher  than  its  wont ;  not 
the  tremor  of  a  nerve  disturbed  their  frame.  They  stood 
with  lips  compressed  and  rifles  ready,  their  pistols  loosened 
in  their  belts,  their  scalp-knives  handy  to  their  gripe.  The 
lurid  glow  of  the  coming  moon  already  shot  into  the  sky  above 
the  ridge,  which  stood  out  in  bold  relief  against  the  light ; 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  89 

and  the  luminary  herself  just  peered  over  the  mountain, 
illuminating  its  pine-clad  summit,  and  throwing  her  beams  on 
the  opposite  peak,  when  Killbuck  touched  his  companion's  arm, 
and  whispered,  "Wait  for  full  light  boy." 

At  this  moment,  however,  unseen  by  the  trapper,  the  old 
grizzled  mule  had  gradually  approached,  as  she  fed  along 
the  plateau ;  and,  when  within  a  few  paces  of  their  retreat, 
a  gleam  of  moonshine  revealed  to  the  animal  the  erect  forms 
of  the  two  whites.  Suddenly  she  stood  still  and  pricked  her 
ears,  and  stretching  out  her  neck  and  nose,  snuffed  the  air. 
Well  she  knew  her  old  master. 

Kilbuck,  with  eyes  fixed  upon  the  Indians,  who  was  on  the 
point  of  giving  the  signal  of  attack  to  his  comrade,  when  the 
shrill  hinny  of  his  mule  reverberated  through  the  gorge.  The 
Indians  jumped  to  their  feet  and  seized  their  arms,  when  Kill- 
buck,  with  a  loud  shout  of  "  At  'em,  boy ;  give  the  niggurs 
h — !"  rushed  from  his  concealment,  and  with  La  Bonte  by 
his  side,  yelling  a  fierce  war-whoop,  sprung  upon  the  startled 
savages. 

Panic-struck  with  the  suddenness  of  the  attack,  the  Indians 
scarcely  knew  where  to  run.  and  for  a  moment  stood  huddled 
together  like  sheep.  Down  dropped  Killbuck  on  his  knee,  and 
stretching  out  his  wiping-stick,  planted  it  on  the  ground  at  the 
extreme  length  of  his  arm.  As  methodically  and  as  coolly  as 
if  to  aim  at  a  deer,  he  raised  his  rifle  to  this  rest  and  pulled 
the  trigger.  At  the  report  an  Indian  fell  forward  on  his  face, 
at  the  same  moment  that  La  Bonte,  with  equal  certainty  of 
aim  and  like  effect  discharged  his  own  rifle. 

The  three  surviving  Indians,  seeing  that  their  assailants 
were  but  two,  and  knowing  that  their  guns  were  empty,  came 
on  with  loud  yells.  With  the  left  hand  grasping  a  bunch  of 
arrows,  and  holding  the  bow  already  bent,  and  arrow  fixed, 
they  steadily  advanced,  bending  low  to  the  ground  to  get 
their  objects  between  them  and  the  light,  and  thus  render 
their  aim  more  certain.  The  trappers,  however,  did  not  care 

8* 


90  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

to  wait  for  them.  Drawing  their  pistols,  they  charged  at 
once ;  and  although  the  bows  twanged,  and  the  three  arrows 
struck  their  mark,  on  they  rushed,  discharging  their  pistols 
at  close  quarters.  La  Bonte  threw  his  empty  one  at  the  head 
of  an  Indian,  who  was  pulling  his  second  arrow  to  its  head, 
at  a  yard's  distance,  drew  his  knife  at  the  same  moment,  and 
made  at  him. 

But  the  Indian  broke  and  ran,  followed  by  his  surviving 
companion ;  and  as  soon  as  Killbuck  could  ram  home  another 
ball,  he  sent  a  shot  flying  after  them  as  they  scrambled  up 
the  mountain  side,  leaving  in  their  fright  and  hurry  their 
bows  and  shields  on  the  ground. 

The  fight  was  over,  and  the  two  trappers  confronted  each 
other — "  We've  given  'em  h —  !"  laughed  Killbuck. 

"  Well,  we  have,"  answered  the  other,  pulling  an  arrow 
out  of  his  arm — "  Wagh  !" 

"  We'll  lift  the  hair  any  how,"  continued  the  first,  "  afore 
the  scalp's  cold." 

Taking  his  whetstone  from  the  little  sheath  on  his  knife- 
belt,  the  trapper  proceeded  to  "edge"  his  knife,  and  then 
stepping  to  the  prostrate  body,  he  turned  it  over  to  examine 
if  any  symptoms  of  vitality  remained.  "  Thrown  cold  !"  he 
exclaimed,  as  he  dropped  the  lifeless  arm  he  had  lifted.  "  I 
sighted  him  about  the  long  ribs,  but  the  light  was  bad,  and  I 
couldn't  get  a  'bead'  i  off  hand'  any  how." 

Seizing  with  his  left  hand  the  long  and  braided  lock  on  the 
centre  of  the  Indian's  head,  as  he  passed  the  pointed  edge  of 
a  keen  butcher-knife  round  the  parting,  turning  it  at  the  same 
time  under  the  skin  to  separate  the  scalp  from  the  skull ; 
then  with  a  quick  and  sudden  jerk  of  his  hand,  he  removed  it 
entirely  from  the  head,  and  giving  the  reeking  trophy  a 
wring  upon  the  grass  to  free  it  from  the  blood,  he  coolly 
hitched  it  under  his  belt,  and  proceeded  to  the  next ;  but  see- 
ing La  Bonte  operating  upon  this,  he  sought  the  third,  who 
lay  at  some  little  distance  from  the  others.  This  one  was 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  91 

still  alive,  a  pistol-ball  having  passed  through  his  body,  with- 
out touching  a  vital  spot. 

"  Gut-shot  is  this  niggur,"  exclaimed  the  trapper;  "them 
pistols  never  throws  'em  in  their  tracks ;"  and  thrusting  his 
knife,  for  mercy's  sake,  into  the  bosom  of  the  Indian,  he  like- 
wise tore  the  scalp-lock  from  his  head,  and  placed  it  with  the 
other. 

La  Bonte  had  received  two  trivial  wounds,  and  Killbuck 
till  now  had  been  walking  about  with  an  arrow  sticking  in 
the  fleshy  part  of  his  thigh,  the  point  being  perceptible  near 
the  surface  of  the  other  side.  To  free  his  leg  from  this  painful 
encumbrance,  he  thrust  the  weapon  completely  through,  and 
then  cutting  off  the  arrow-head  below  the  barb,  he  drew  it 
out,  the  blood  flowing  freely  from  the  wound,  A  tourniquet 
of  buckskin  soon  stopped  this,  and,  heedless  of  the  pain,  the 
hardy  mountaineer  sought  for  his  old  mule,  and  quickly 
brought  it  to  the  fire,  (which  La  Bonte  had  rekindled,)  lavish- 
ing many  a  caress,  and  most  comical  terms  of  endearment, 
upon  the  faithful  companion  of  his  wanderings.  They  found 
all  the  animals  safe  and  well ;  and  after  eating  heartily  of 
some  venison  which  the  Indians  had  been  cooking  at  the  mo- 
ment of  the  attack,  made  instant  preparation  to  quit  the 
scene  of  their  exploit,  not  wishing  to  trust  to  the  chance  of 
the  Rapahos  being  too  frightened  to  again  molest  them. 

Having  no  saddles,  they  secured  buffalo  robes  on  the  backs 
of  two  mules — Killbuck,  of  course,  riding  his  own — and  lost 
no  time  in  proceeding  on  their  way.  They  followed  the 
course  of  the  Indians  up  the  stream,  and  found  that  it  kept 
the  canons  and  gorges  of  the  mountains,  where  the  road  was 
better ;  but  it  was  with  no  little  difficulty  that  they  made 
their  way,  the  ground  being  much  broken  and  covered  with 
rocks.  Killbuck's  wound  became  very  painful,  and  his  leg 
stiffened  and  swelled  distressingly,  but  he  still  pushed  on  all 
night,  and  at  daybreak,  recognizing  their  position,  he  left  the 
Indian  trail,  and  followed  a  little  creek  which  rose  in  a  moun- 


92  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

tain  chain  of  moderate  elevation,  above  which,  and  to  the 
south,  Pike's  Peak  towered  high  into  the  clouds.  With  great 
difficulty  they  crossed  this  ridge,  and  ascending  and  descend- 
ing several  smaller  ones,  which  gradually  smoothed  away  as 
they  met  the  valley,  about  three  hours  after  sunrise  they  found 
themselves  in  the  south-east  corner  of  the  Bayou  Salade. 

Judging,  from  the  direction  the  Rapahos  were  taking,  that 
the  friendly  tribe  of  Yutas  were  there  already,  the  trappers 
had  resolved  to  join  them  as  soon  as  possible ;  and,  therefore, 
without  resting,  pushed  on  through  the  uplands,  and,  toward 
the  middle  of  the  day,  had  the  satisfaction  of  descrying  the 
conical  lodges  of  the  village,  situated  on  a  large  level  plateau, 
through  which  ran  a  mountain  stream.  A  numerous  band  of 
mules  and  horses  were  scattered  over  the  pasture,  and  round 
them  several  mounted  Indians  kept  guard.  As  the  trappers 
descended  the  bluffs  into  the  plain,  some  straggling  Indians 
caught  sight  of  them ;  and  instantly  one  of  them,  lassoing  a 
horse  from  the  herd,  mounted  it,  barebacked,  and  flew  like 
wind  to  spread  the  news.  Soon  the  lodges  disgorged  their 
inmates ;  first  the  women  and  children  rushed  to  the  side  of 
the  strangers'  approach ;  then  the  younger  Indians,  unable 
to  restrain  their  curiosity,  mounted  their  horses,  and  galloped 
forth  to  meet  them.  The  old  chiefs,  enveloped  in  buffalo 
robes  (softly  and  delicately  dressed  as  the  Yutas  alone  know 
how,)  and  with  tomahawk  held  in  one  hand  and  resting  in 
the  hollow  of  the  other  arm,  sallied  last  of  all  from  their 
lodges,  and  squatting  in  a  row  on  a  sunny  bank  outside  the 
village,  awaited  with  dignified  composure,  the  arrival  of  the 
whites.  Killbuck  was  well  known  to  most  of  them,  having 
trapped  in  their  country  and  traded  with  them  years  before 
at  Robideau's  fort  at  the  hear)  waters  of  the  Rio  Grande. 
After  shaking  hands  with  all  who  presented  themselves,  he 
at  once  gave  them  to  understand  that  their  enemies,  the  Ra- 
pahos, were  at  hand,  with  a  hundred  warriors  at  least,  elated 
by  the  coup  they  had  just  struck  against  the  whites,  bringing, 


INDIANS  COOKING. 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST.  95 

moreover,  four  white  scalps  to  incite  them  to  brave  and 
daring  deeds. 

At  this  news  the  whole  village  was  speedily  in  commotion  : 
the  war-shout  was  taken  up  from  lodge  to  lodge ;  the  squaws 
began  to  lament  and  tear  their  hair ;  the  warriors  to  paint 
and  arm  themselves.  The  elder  chiefs  immediately  met  in 
council,  and,  over  the  medicine-pipe,  debated  as  to  the  best 
course  to  pursue — whether  to  await  the  attack,  or  sally  out 
and  meet  the  enemy.  In  the  mean  time,  the  braves  were 
collected  together  by  the  chiefs  of  the  respective  bands,  and 
scouts,  mounted  on  the  fastest  horses,  dispatched  in  every 
direction  to  procure  intelligence  of  the  enemy. 

The  two  whites,  after  watering  their  mules  and  picketing 
them  in  some  good  grass  near  the  village,  drew  near  the 
council-fire,  without,  however,  joining  in  the  "talk,"  until 
they  were  invited  to  take  their  seats  by  the  eldest  chief.  Then 
Killbuck  was  called  upon  to  give  his  opinion  as  to  the  direc- 
tion in  which  he  judged  the  Rapahos  to  be  approaching,  which 
he  delivered  in  their  own  language,  with  which  he  was  well 
acquainted.  In  a  short  time  the  council  broke  up,  and,  with- 
out noise  or  confusion,  a  band  of  one  hundred  chosen  warriors 
left  the  village,  immediately  after  one  of  the  scouts  had  gal- 
loped in  and  communicated  some  intelligence  to  the  chiefs. 
Killbuck  and  La  Bonte  volunteered  to  accompany  the  war- 
party,  weak  and  exhausted  as  they  were ;  but  this  was  nega- 
tived by  the  chiefs,  who  left  their  white  brothers  to  the  care 
of  the  women,  who  tended  their  wounds,  njiv  stiff  and  pain- 
ful :  and  spreading  their  buffalo  robes  in  a  warm  and  roomy 
lodge,  left  them  to  the  repose  they  so  much  needed. 

The  next  morning,  Killbuck's  leg  was  greatly  inflamed,  and 
he  was  unable  to  leave  the  lodge  ;  but  he  made  his  companion 
bring  the  old  mule  to  the  door,  that  he  might  give  her  a  couple 
of  ears  of  Indian  corn,  the  last  remains  of  the  slender  store 
brought  by  the  Indians  from  the  Navajo  country.  The  day 
passed,  and  sun-down  brought  no  tidings  of  the  war-party. 


96  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

This  caused  no  little  wailing  on  the  part  of  the  squaws,  but 
was  interpreted  by  the  whites  as  a  favorable  augury.  A  little 
after  sunrise,  on  the  second  morning,  the  long  line  of  the  re- 
turning warriors  was  discerned  winding  over  the  prairie,  and 
a  scout  having  galloped  in  to  bring  in  the  news  of  a  great 
victory,  the  whole  village  was  soon  in  a  ferment  of  paint  and 
drumming.  A  short  distance  from  the  lodges,  the  warriors 
halted  to  await  the  approach  of  the  people.  Old  men,  children, 
and  squaws  sitting  astride  their  horses,  sallied  out  to  escort 
the  victorious  party  in  triumph  to  the  village.  With  loud 
shouts  and  songs,  and  drums  beating  the  monotonous  Indian 
time,  they  advanced  and  encircled  the  returning  braves,  one 
of  whom,  his  face  covered  with  black  paint,  carried  a  pole  on 
which  dangled  thirteen  scalps,  the  trophies  of  the  expedition. 
As  he  lifted  these  on  high,  they  were  saluted  with  deafening 
whoops  and  cries  of  exultation  and  savage  joy.  In  this  man- 
ner they  entered  the  village,  almost  before  the  friends  of  those 
fallen  in  the  fight  had  ascertained  their  losses.  Then  the 
shouts  of  delight  were  converted  into  yells  of  grief;  the 
mothers  and  wives  of  those  braves  who  had  been  killed  (and 
seven  had  "  gone  under")  presently  returned  with  their  faces, 
necks,  and  hands  blackened,  and  danced  and  hopped  around 
the  scalp-pole,  which  had  been  deposited  in  the  centre  of  the 
village,  in  front  of  the  lodge  of  the  great  chief. 

Killbuck  now  learned  that  a  scout  having  brought  intelli- 
gence that  the  two  bands  of  Rapahos  were  hastening  to  form 
a  junction,  as  soo^as  they  learned  that  their  approach  was 
discovered,  the  Yutas  had  successfully  prevented  it ;  and  at- 
tacking one  party,  had  entirely  defeated  it,  killing  thirteen 
of  the  Rapaho  braves.  The  other  party  had  fled  on  seeing 
the  issue  of  the  fight,  and  a  few  of  the  Yuta  warriors  pursued 
them. 

Such  is  the  life  of  peril  and  excitement  led  by  the  hunters 
of  the  west.  At  no  moment  can  they  feel  secure.  Natur- 
ally, they  attach  themselves  to  some  particular  tribes,  and  by 


HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS  OF  THE  FAR  WEST. 


99 


doing  so  they  draw  upon  themselves  the  enmity  of  the  foes 
of  those  tribes.  Besides,  there  are  bands  of  Indians,  who 
steal  wherever  they  can  find  an  opening,  from  friend  or  foe ; 
and  these  will  not  hesitate  to  take  life,  if  necessary  for  their 
work.  Yet  the  bold  hunter,  trusting  in  his  own  strength 
and  skill,  will  frequently  travel  many  miles  alone  in  the 
neighborhood  of  those  he  knows  to  be  thirsting  for  his  blood, 
and  triumph  over  his  red  enemies  if  not  too  numerous  and 
vigilant. 


THE  many  exploits  and  mischances  of  La  Bonte,  the 
indomitable  companion  of  old  Killbuck,  while  on  his  first 
hunting  expedition  forms  an  interesting  portion  of  Mr.  Rux- 
ton's  narrative.  La  Bonte  was  a  native  of  Missouri.  Being 
unfortunate  in  love,  and  anxious  to  quit  the  scene  of  his 
mishap,  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  hunters,  who  visited 
St.  Louis,  and  determined  to  join  them  in  their  mode  of  life. 
Equipping  himself  with  gun,  ammunition,  traps,  mules,  and 
blankets,  he  went  to  Independence,  the  starting  place  for 
hunters  and  emigrants.  The  band  set  out  upon  the  prairie 
about  the  latter  end  of  May.  Its  adventures  we  give  in  the 
words  of  Ruxton. 

Camping  the  first  night  on  "  Black  Jack,"  our  mountaineers 
here  cut  each  man  a  spare  hickory  wiping-stick  for  his  rifle ; 
and  La  Bonte,  who  was  the  only  greenhorn  of  the  party,  wit- 
nessed a  savage  ebullition  of  rage  on  the  part  of  one  of  his 
companions,  exhibiting  the  perfect  unrestraint  which  these 
men  impose  upon  their  passions,  and  the  barbarous  anger 
which  the  slightest  opposition  to  their  will  excites.  One  of 
the  trappers,  on  arriving  at  the  camping-place,  dismounted 
from  his  horse,  and  after  divesting  it  of  its  saddle,  endeavored 
to  lead  his  mule  by  the  rope  up  to  the  spot  where  he  wished 
to  deposit  his  pack.  Mule-like,  however,  the  more  he  pulled 
the  more  stubbornly  she  remained  in  her  tracks,  planting  her 
fore-legs  firmly,  and  stretching  out  her  neck  with  provoking 
obstinacy.  Truth  to  tell,  it  does  require  the  temper  of  a 
thousand  Jobs  to  manage  a  mule ;  and  in  no  case  does  the 
(100) 


INDIAN  LODGE. 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  103 

wilful  mulislmess  of  the  animal  stir  up  one's  choler  more  than 
in  the  very  trick  this  one  played,  and  which  is  a  daily  occur- 
ence.  After  tugging  ineffectually  for  several  minutes,  wind- 
ing the  rope  round  his  body,  and  throwing  himself  suddenly 
forward  with  all  his  strength,  the  trapper  actually  foamed 
with  passion ;  and  although  he  might  have  subdued  the  ani- 
mal at  once  by  fastening  the  rope  with  a  half  hitch  round  its 
nose,  this,  with  an  obstinacy  equal  to  the  mule  itself,  he  re- 
fused to  attempt,  preferring  to  vanquish  her  by  main  strength. 
Failing  to  do  so,  the  mountaineer,  with  a  volley  of  blasphe- 
mous imprecations,  suddenly  seized  his  rifle,  and  leveling  it 
at  the  mule's  head,  shot  her  dead. 

Passing  the  Wa-ka-rasha,  a  well  timbered  stream,  they  met 
a  band  of  Osages  going  "to  buffalo."  These  Indians,  in 
common  with  some  bands  of  Pawnees,  shave  the  head,  with 
the  exception  of  a  ridge  from  the  forehead  to  the  centre  of 
the  scalp,  which  is  "roached"  or  hogged  like  the  mane  of  a 
mule,  and  stands  erect,  plastered  with  unguents,  and  orna- 
mented with  feathers  of  the  hawk  and  turkey.  The  naked 
scalp  is  often  painted  in  mosaic,  with  black  and  red,  the  face 
with  shining  vermilion.  This  band  were  all  naked  to  the 
breech-clout,  the  warmth  of  the  sun  having  made  them  throw 
their  dirty  blankets  from  their  shoulders.  These  Indians  not 
unfrequently  levy  contributions  on  the  strangers  they  acci- 
dentally meet ;  but  they  easily  distinguish  the  determined 
mountaineer  from  the  incautious  greenhorn,  and  think  it  best 
to  let  the  former  alone. 

Crossing  Vermilion,  the  trappers  arrived  on  the  fifth  day 
at  "  Blue,"  where  they  encamped  in  the  broad  timber  belting 
the  creek,  and  there  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  remainder  of 
the  party. 

It  was  two  days  before  they  came  up ;  but  the  following 
day  they  started  for  the  mountains,  fourteen  in  number, 
striking  a  trail  which  follows  the  "Big  Blue"  in  its  course 
through  the  prairies,  which,  as  they  advanced  to  the  westward, 


104  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

gradually  smoothed  away  into  a  vast  unbroken  expanse  of 
rolling  plain.  Herds  of  antelope  began  to  show  themselves, 
and  some  of  the  hunters,  leaving  the  trail,  soon  returned  with 
plenty  of  their  tender  meat.  The  .luxuriant  but  coarse  grass 
they  had  hitherto  seen  now  changed  into  the  nutritious  and 
curly  buffalo  grass,  and  their  animals  soon  improved  in  ap- 
pearance on  the  excellent  pasture.  In  a  few  days,  without 
any  adventure,  they  struck  the  Platte  river,  its  shallow  waters 
(from  which  it  derives  its  name)  spreading  over  a  wide  and 
sandy  bed,  numerous  sand  bars  obstructing  the  sluggish 
current,  nowhere  sufficiently  deep  to  wet  the  forder's  knee. 

By  this  time,  but  few  antelopes  having  been  seen,  the 
party  ran  entirely  out  of  meat ;  and  one  whole  day  having 
passed  without  so  much  as  a  stray  rabbit  presenting  itself, 
not  a  few  objurgations  on  the  buffalo  grumbled  from  the  lips 
of  the  hunters,  who  expected  ere  this  to  have  reached  the 
land  of  plenty.  La  Bonte  killed  a  fine  deer,  however,  in  the 
river  bottom,  after  they  had  encamped,  not  one  particle  of 
which  remained  after  supper  that  night,  but  which  hardly 
took  the  rough  edge  off  their  keen  appetites.  Although 
already  in  the  buffalo  range,  no  traces  of  these  animals  had 
yet  been  seen ;  and  as  the  country  afforded  but  little  game, 
and  the  party  did  not  care  to  halt  and  lose  time  in  hunting 
in  it,  they  moved  along  hungry  and  sulky,  the  theme  of  con- 
versation being  the  well  remembered  merits  of  good  buffalo 
meat — of  " fat  fleece,"  "hump-rib,"  and  "tender-loin,"  of 
delicious  "boudins,"  and  marrow-bones  too  good  to  think  of. 

La  Bonte  had  never  seen  the  lordly  animal,  and  conse- 
quently but  half  believed  the  accounts  of  the  mountaineers, 
who  described  their  countless  bands  as  covering  the  prairie 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  and  requiring  days  of  travel  to 
pass  through ;  but  the  visions  of  such  dainty  and  abundant 
feeding  as  they  descanted  on  set  his  mouth  watering  and 
danced  before  his  eyes  as  he  slept  supperless,  night  after  night, 
on  the  banks  of  the  hungry  Platte. 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  10  ( 

One  morning  he  had  packed  his  animals  before  the  rest,  and 
was  riding  a  mile  in  advance  of  the  party,  when  he  saw  on  one 
side  the  trail,  looming  in  refracted  glare  which  mirages  the 
plains,  three  large  dark  objects  without  shape  or  form,  which 
rose  and  fell  in  the  exaggerated  light  like  ships  at  sea. 
Doubting  what  it  could  be,  he  approached  the  strange  objects ; 
and  as  the  refraction  disappeared  before  him,  the  dark  masses 
assumed  a  more  distinct  form,  and  clearly  moved  with  life.  A 
little  nearer,  and  he  made  them  out — they  were  buffalo. 
Thinking  to  distinguish  himself,  the  greenhorn  dismounted 
from  his  mule,  and  quickly  hobbled  her,  throwing  his  lasso  on 
the  ground  to  trail  behind  when  he  wished  to  catch  her.  Then, 
rifle  in  hand,  he  approached  the  huge  animals,  and,  being  a 
good  hunter  knew  well  to  take  advantage  of  the  inequalities 
of  the  ground,  and  face  the  wind ;  by  which  means  he  crawled 
at  length  to  within  forty  yards  of  the  buffalo,  which  quietly 
cropped  the  grass,  unconscious  of  danger.  Now  for  the  first 
time,  he  gazed  upon  the  noble  beast  he  had  so  often  heard  of, 
and  longed  to  see.  With  coal-black  beard  sweeping  the  ground 
as  he  fed,  an  enormous  bull  was  in  advance  of  the  others,  his 
wild  brilliant  eyes  peering  from  an  immense  mass  of  shaggy 
hair,  which  covered  his  neck  and  shoulder.  From  this  point 
his  skin  was  smooth  as  one's  hand,  a  sleek  and  shining  dun, 
and  his  ribs  was  well  covered  with  shaking  flesh.  While  lei- 
surely cropping  the  short  curly  grass  he  occasionally  lifted 
his  tail  into  the  air,  p,nd  stamped  his  foot  as  a  fly  or  musquito 
annoyed  him — flapping  the  intruder  with  his  tail,  or  snatch- 
ing at  the  itching  part  with  his  ponderous  head. 

When  La  Bonte  had  sufficiently  admired  the  buffalo,  he 
lifted  his  rifle,  and,  taking  steady  aim,  and  certain  of  his  mark, 
pulled  the  trigger,  expecting  to  see  the  huge  beast  fall  over 
at  the  report.  What  was  his  surprise  and  consternation,  how- 
ever, to  see  the  animal  only  flinch  when  the  ball  struck  him, 
and  then  gallop  off  followed  by  the  others,  apparently  unhurt. 
As  is  generally  the  case  with  greenhorns,  he  had  fired  too 


108  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

high,  ignorant  that  the  only  certain  spot  to  strike  a  buffalo  is 
but  a  few  inches  above  the  brisket,  and  that  a  higher  shot  is 
rarely  fatal.  When  he  rose  from  the  ground,  he  saw  all  the 
party  halting  in  full  view  of  his  discomfiture;  and  when  he 
joined  them,  loud  were  the  laughs,  and  deep  the  regrets  of 
the  hungry  at  his  first  attempt.  • 

However,  they  knew  that  they  were  in  the  country  of 
meat ;  and  a  few  miles  farther,  another  band  of  stragglers 
presenting  themselves,  three  of  the  hunters  went  in  pursuit, 
La  Bonte  taking  a  mule  to  pack  in  the  meat.  He  soon  saw 
them  crawling  toward  the  band,  and  shortly  two  puffs  of  smoke, 
and  the  sharp  cracks  of  their  rifles,  showed  that  they  had  got 
within  shot ;  and  when  he  rode  up,  two  fine  buffaloes  were 
stretched  upon  the  ground.  Now,  for  the  first  time,  he  was 
initiated  in  the  mysteries  of  "  butchering."  He  watched  the 
hunters  as  they  turned  the  carcass  on  the  belly,  stretching 
out  the  legs  to  support  it  on  each  side.  A  transverse  cut  was 
then  made  at  the  nape  of  the  neck,  and,  gathering  the  long 
hair  of  the -boss  in  one  hand,  the  skin  was  separated  from  the 
shoulder.  It  was  then  laid  open  from  this  point  to  the  tail, 
along  the  spine,  and  then,  freed  from  the  sides  and  down  to 
the  brisket,  but  still  attached  to  it,  was  stretched  upon  the 
ground  to  receive  the  dissected  portions.  Then  the  shoulder 
was  severed,  the  fleece  removed  from  along  the  back-bone,  and 
the  hump-ribs  cut  off  with  a  tomahawk.  All  this  was  placed 
upon  the  skin ;  aud  after  the  "boudins"  had  been  withdrawn 
from  the  stomach,  and  the  tongue — a  great  dainty — taken 
from  the  head,  the  meat  was  packed  upon  the  mule,  and  the 
whole  party  hurried  to  camp  rejoicing. 

There  was  rejoicing  in  the  camp  that  night,  and  the  way 
they  indulged  their  appetites — or,  in  their  own  language, 
"throw'd  the  meat  "cold" — would  have  made  the  heart  of 
a  dispeptic  leap  for  joy  or  burst  with  envy.  Far  into  the 
"  still  watches  of  the  tranquil  night"  the  fatal  clad  "  depouile" 
saw  its  fleshy  mass  grow  small  by  degrees  and  beautifully 


01 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  Ill 

less,  before  the  trenchant  blades  of  the  hungry  mountaineers  ; 
appetizing  yards  of  well-browned  "boudin"  clipped  glibly 
down  their  throats ;  rib  after  rib  of  tender  hump  was  picked 
and  flung  to  the  wolves ;  and  when  human  nature,  with  help- 
less gratitude,  and  confident  that  nothing  of  super-excellent 
comestibility  remained,  was  lazily  wiping  the  greasy  knife 
that  had  done  such  good  service — a  skilful  hunter  was  seen 
to  chuckle  to  himself  as  he  raked  the  deep  ashes  of  the  fire, 
and  drew  therefrom  a  pair  of  tongues  so  admirably  baked,  so 
soft,  so  sweet,  and  of  such  exquisite  flavor,  that  a  veil  is  con- 
siderately drawn  over  the  effects  their  discussion  produced  in 
the  mind  of  our  greenhorn  La  Bonte,  and  the  raptures  they 
excited  in  the  bosom  of  that,  as  yet,  most  ignorant  moun- 
taineer. Still,  as  he  ate,  he  wondered,  and  wondering  ad- 
mired, that  nature,  in  giving  him  such  profound  gastronomic 
powers,  and  such  transcendent  capabilities  of  digestion,  had 
yet  bountifully  provided  an  edible  so  peculiarly  adapted  to 
his  ostrich-like  appetite,  that  after  consuming  nearly  his  own 
weight  in  rich  and  fat  buffalo  meat,  he  felt  as  easy  and  as 
little  incommoded  as  if  he  had  lightly  supped  on  strawberries 
and  ice  croam. 

Sweet  was  the  digestive  pipe  after  such  a  feast ;  soft  was 
the  sleep  and  deep,  which  sealed  the  eyes  of  the  contented 
trappers  that  night.  It  felt  like  the  old  thing,  they  said,  to 
be  once  more  among  the  "meat." 

However,  no  enemies  showed  themselves  as  yet,  and  they 
proceeded  quietly  up  the  river,  vast  herds  of  buffalo  darken- 
ing the  plains  around  them,  affording  them  more  than  an 
abundance  of  choicest  meat ;  but,  to  their  credit  be  it  spoken, 
no  more  was  slaughtered  than  was  absolutely  required — un- 
like the  cruel  slaughter  made  by  most  of  the  white  travellers 
across  the  plains,  who  wantonly  destroy  these  noble  animals, 
not  even  for  the  excitement  of  sport,  but  in  cold-blooded  and 
insane  butchery.  La  Bonte  had  practised  enough  to  perfect 
him  in  the  art,  and,  before  the  buffalo  range  was  passed,  he 


112  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

was  ranked  as  a  first-rate  hunter.  One  evening  he  had  left 
the  camp  for  meat,  and  was  approaching  a  band  of  cows  for 
that  purpose,  crawling  toward  them  along  the  bed  of  a  dry 
hollow  in  the  prairie,  when  he  observed  them  suddenly  jump 
toward  him,  and  immediately  afterward  a  score  of  mounted 
Indians  appeared,  whom,  by  their  dress,  he  at  once  knew  to 
be  Pawnees  and  enemies.  Thinking  they  might  not  discover 
him,  he  crouched  down  in  the  ravine ;  but  a  noise  behind 
caused  him  to  turn  his  head,  and  he  saw  some  five  or  six  ad- 
vancing up  the  bed  of  the  dry  creek,  while  several  more  were 
riding  on  the  bluffs.  The  cunning  savages  had  cut  off  his 
retreat  to  his  mule,  which  he  saw  in  the  possession  of  one  of 
them.  His  presence  of  mind,  however,  did  not  desert  him ; 
and  seeing  at  once  that  to  remain  where  he  was  would  be 
like  being  caught  in  a  trap,  (as  the  Indians  could  advance  to 
the  edge  of  the  bluff  and  shoot  him  from  above,)  he  made  for 
the  open  prairie,  determined  to  sell  his  scalp  dearly,  and 
make  a  "  good  fight."  With  a  yell  the  Indians  charged,  but 
halted  when  they  saw  the  sturdy  trapper  deliberately  kneel, 
and,  resting  his  rifle  on  the  wiping-stick,  take  a  steady  aim 
as  they  advanced.  Full  well  the  Pawnees  knew  to  their  cost, 
that  a  mountaineer  seldom  pulls  his  trigger  without  sending 
a  bullet  to  the  mark ;  and,  certain  that  one  at  least  must  fall, 
they  hesitated  to  make  the  onslaught.  Steadily  the  white 
retreated  with  his  face  to  the  foe,  bringing  the  rifle  to  his 
shoulder  the  instant  that  one  advanced  within  shot,  the  In- 
dians galloping  round,  firing  the  few  guns  they  had  among 
them  at  long  distances,  but  without  effect.  One  young  brave, 
more  daring  than  the  rest,  rode  out  of  the  crowd,  and  dashed 
at  the  hunter,  throwing  himself,  as  he  passed  within  a  few 
yards,  from  the  saddle,  and  hanging  over  the  opposite  side 
of  his  horse,  thus  presenting  no  other  mark  than  his  left  foot. 
As  he  crossed  La  Bonte,  he  discharged  his  bow  from  under 
his  horses's  neck,  and  with  such  good  aim,  that  the  arrow, 
whizzing  through  the  air,  struck  the  stock  of  the  hunter's 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  115 

rifle,  which  was  at  his  shoulder,  and  glancing  off,  pierced  his 
arm,  inflicting,  luckily,  but  a  slight  wound.  Again  the  In- 
dian turned  in  his  course,  the  others  encouraging  him  with 
loud  war-whoops,  and,  once  more  passing  at  still  less  distance, 
he  drew  his  arrow  to  the  head.  This  time,  however,  the  eagle 
eye  of  the  white  detected  the  action,  and  suddenly  rising  from 
his  knee  as  the  Indian  approached  (hanging  by  his  foot  alone 
over  the  opposite  side  of  the  horse,)  he  jumped  toward  the 
animal  with  outstretched  arms  and  a  loud  yell,  causing  it  to 
start  suddenly,  and  swerve  from  its  course.  The  Indian  lost 
his  foot-hold,  and,  after  a  fruitless  struggle  to  regain  his  po- 
sition, fell  to  the  ground ;  but  instantly  rose  upon  his  feet 
and  gallantly  confronted  the  mountaineer,  striking  his  hand 
upon  his  brawny  chest  and  shouting  a  loud  whoop  of  defi- 
ance. In  another  instant  the  rifle  of  La  Bonte  had  poured 
forth  its  contents ;  and  the  brave  savage,  springing  into  the 
air,  fell  dead  to  the  ground,  just  as  the  other  trappers,  who 
had  heard  the  firing,  galloped  up  to  the  spot.  At  sight  of 
them,  the  Pawnees,  with  yells  of  disappointed  vengeance, 
hastily  retreated. 

That  night  La  Bonte  first  lifted  hair ! 

A  few  days  later  the  mountaineers  reached  the  point  where 
the  Platte  divides  into  two  great  forks :  the  northern  one, 
stretching  to  the  northwest,  skirts  the  eastern  base  of  the 
Black  Hills,  and  sweeping  round  to  the  sJfch  rises  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  mountain  called  the  New  Park,  receiving  the 
Laramie,  Medicine  Bow,  and  Sweet  Water  creeks.  The  other, 
or  "  South  Fork,"  strikes  towards  the  mountains  in  a  south- 
westerly direction,  hugging  the  base  of  the  main  chain  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  and,  fed  by  several  small  creeks,  rises  in 
the  uplands  of  the  Bayou  Salade,  near  which  is  also  the 
source  of  the  Arkansas. 

About  noon  they  had  crossed  the  left  bank  of  the  fork, 
intending  to  camp  on  a  large  creek  where  some  fresh  beaver 
"  sign"  had  attracted  the  attention  of  some  of  the  trappers; 


116  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

and  as,  on  further  examination,  it  appeared  that  two  or  three 
lodges  of  that  animal  were  not  far  distant,  it  was  determined 
to  remain  here  a  day  or  two  and  set  their  traps. 

Gonneville,  old  Luke,  and  La  Bonte  had  started  up  the 
creek,  and  were  carefully  examining  the  banks  for  "  sign," 
when  the  former,  who  was  in  front,  suddenly  paused,  and 
looking  intently  up  the  stream,  held  up  his  hand  to  his 
companions  to  signal  them  to  stop. 

Luke  and  La  Bonte  both  followed  the  direction  of  the 
trapper's  intent  and  fixed  gaze.  The  former  uttered  in  a  sup- 
pressed tone  the  expressive  exclamation,  "Wagh!"  —  the 
latter  saw  nothing  but  a  wood-duck  swimming  swiftly  down 
the  stream,  followed  by  her  downy  progeny. 

Gonneville  turned  his  head,  and  extending  his  arm  twice 
with  a  forward  motion  up  the  creek,  whispered — "Les 
sauvages." 

"Injuns,  sure,  and  Sioux  at  that,"  answered  Luke. 

Still  La  Bonte  looked,  but  nothing  met  his  view  but  the 
duck  with  her  brood,  now  rapidly  approaching ;  and  as  he 
gazed,  the  bird  suddenly  took  wing,  and  flapping  on  the  water, 
flew  a  short  distance  down  the  stream,  and  once  more  settled 
on  it. 

"  Injuns  ?"  he  asked ;  "  where  are  they  ?" 

"  Whar  ?"  repeated  old  Luke,  striking  the  flint  of  his  rifle, 
and  opening  th^pan  to  examine  the  priming.  "What  brings 
a  duck  a-streaking  it  down  stream  if  humans  ain't  behint  her  ? 
and  who's  thar  in  these  diggins  but  Injuns,  and  the  worst 
kind  ?  and  we'd  better  push  to  camp,  I'm  thinking,  if  we  mean 
to  save  our  hair." 

"  Sign"  sufficient  indeed,  it  was  to  all  the  trappers,  who, 
on  being  apprized  of  it,  instantly  drove  in  their  animals,  and 
picketed  them  ;  and  hardly  had  they  done  so  when  a  band  of 
Indians  made  their  appearance  on  the  banks  of  the  creek, 
from  whence  they  galloped  to  the  bluff  which  overlooked  the 
camp  at  the  distance  of  about  six  hundred  yards ;  and  crown- 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  119 

ing  this,  in  number  some  forty  or  more,  commenced  brand- 
ishing their  epears  and  guns,  and  whooping  loud  yells  of 
defiance.  The  trappers  had  formed  a  little  breastwork  of 
their  packs,  forming  a  semicircle,  the  chord  of  which  was 
made  by  the  animals  standing  in  a  line,  side  by  side,  closely 
picketed  and  hobbled.  Behind  this  defence  stood  the  moun- 
taineers, rifle  in  hand,  and  silent  and  determined.  The  In- 
dians presently  descended  the  bluff  on  foot,  leaving  their 
animals  in  charge  of  a  few  of  the  party,  and,  scattering,  ad- 
vanced under  cover  of  the  sage  bushes  which  dotted  the 
bottom,  to  about  two  hundred  yards  of  the  whites.  Then  a 
chief  advanced  before  the  rest,  and  made  the  sign  for  a  talk 
with  the  Long-knives,  which  led  to  a  counsultation  among  the 
latter  as  to  the  policy  of  acceding  to  it.  They  were  in  doubt 
as  to  the  nation  these  Indians  belonged  to,  some  bands  of  the 
Sioux  being  friendly,  and  others  bitterly  hostile  to  the  whites. 

Gonneville,  who  spoke  the  Sioux  language,  and  was  well 
acquainted  with  the  nation,  affirmed  that  they  belonged  to  a 
band  called  the  Yanka-taus,  well  known  to  be  the  most  evil- 
disposed  of  that  treacherous  nation ;  another  of  the  party 
maintained  they  were  Brules,  and  that  the  chief  advancing 
toward  them  was  the  well-known  Tah-sha-tunga  or  Bull  Tail, 
a  most  friendly  chief  of  that  tribe.  The  majority,  however, 
trusted  to  Gonneville,  and  he  volunteered  to  go  out  to  meet 
the  Indian,  and  hear  what  he  had  to  say.  Divesting  himself 
of  all  arms  save  his  butcher-knife,  he  advanced  toward  the 
savage,  who  awaited  his  approach  enveloped  in  the  folds  of 
his  blanket.  At  a  glance  he  knew  him  to  be  a  Yanka-tau, 
from  the  peculiar  make  of  his  moccasons,  and  the  way  in  which 
his  face  was  daubed  with  paint. 

"Howgh!"  exclaimed  both  as  they  met;  and,  after  a 
silence  of  a  few  moments,  the  Indian  spoke,  asking — "  Why 
the  Long-knifes  hid  behind  their  packs,  when  his  band  ap- 
proached ?  Were  they  afraid  or  were  they  preparing  a  dog- 
feast  to  entertain  their  friends  ?  The  whites  were  passing 


120  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

through  his  country,  burning  his  wood,  drinking  his  water, 
and  killing  his  game ;  but  he  knew  they  had  now  come  to 
pay  for  the  mischief  they  had  done,  and  that  the  mules  and 
horses  they  had  brought  with  them  were  intended  as  a  present 
to  their  red  friends. 

"He  was  Mah-to-ga-shane,"  he  said,  "the  Brave  Bear: 
his  tongue  was  short,  but  his  arm  long ;  and  he  loved  rather 
to  speak  with  his  bow  and  his  lance  than  with  the  weapon  of 
a  squaw.  He  had  said  it :  the  Long-knives  had  horses  with 
them  and  mules ;  and  these  were  for  him,  he  knew,  and  for 
his  'braves/  Let  the  White-face  go  back  to  his  people  and 
return  with  the  animals,  or  he,  the  '  Brave  Bear,'  would  have 
to  come  and  take  them  ;  and  his  young  men  would  get  mad, 
and  would  feel  blood  in  their  eyes ;  and  then  he  would  have 
no  power  over  them ;  and  the  whites  would  have  to  *  go 
under.'  " 

The  trapper  answered  shortly — "  The  long-knives,"  he  said, 
"  had  brought  the  horses  for  themselves — their  hearts  were 
big,  but  not  toward  the  Yanka-taus  :  and  if  they  had  to  give 
up  their  animals,  it  would  be  to  men  and  not  to  squaws.  They 
were  not  '  Wah-keitcha,'  (French  engages,)  but  Long-knives ; 
and,  however,  short  were  the  tongues  of  the  Yanka-taus, 
theirs  were  still  shorter,  and  their  rifles  longer.  The  Yanka- 
taus,  were  dogs  and  squaws,  and  the  the  Long-knives  spat 
upon  them." 

Saying  this,  the  trapper  turned  his  back  and  rejoined  his 
companions  ;  while  the  Indian  slowly  proceeded  to  his  people, 
who,  on  learning  the  contemptuous  way  in  which  their  threats 
had  been  treated,  testified  their  anger  with  loud  yells  ;  and, 
seeking  whatever  cover  was  afforded,  commenced  a  scattering 
volley  upon  the  camp  of  the  mountaineers.  The  latter  re- 
served their  fire,  treating  with  cool  indifference  the  balls 
which  began  to  rattle  about  them ;  but  as  the  Indians,  em- 
boldened by  this  apparent  inaction,  rushed  for  a  closer  posi- 
tion, and  exposed  their  bodies  within  a  long  range,  half-a 


123 

dozen  rifles  rang  from  the  assailed,  and  two  Indians  fell  dead, 
one  or  two  more  being  wounded.  As  yet,  not  one  of  the 
whites  had  been  touched,  but  several  of  the  animals  had  re- 
ceived wounds  from  the  enemies'  fire  of  balls  and  arrows. 
Indeed,  the  Indians  remained  at  too  great  a  distance  to  render 
the  volleys  from  their  crazy  fusees  any  thing  like  effectual, 
and  had  to  raise  their  pieces  considerably  to  make  their 
bullets  reach  as  far  as  the  camp.  After  three  of  their  band 
had  been  killed  outright,  and  many  more  wounded,  their  fire 
began  to  slacken,  and  they  drew  off  to  a  greater  distance, 
evidently  resolved  to  beat  a  retreat.  Retiring  to  the  bluff, 
they  discharged  their  pieces  in  a  last  volley,  mounted  their 
horses  and  galloped  off,  carrying  their  wounded  with  them. 
This  last  volley,  however,  although  intended  as  a  mere  bra- 
vado, unfortunately  proved  fatal  to  one  of  the  whites.  Gon- 
neville,  at  the  moment,  was  standing  on  a  pack  to  get  an  un- 
interrupted sight  for  a  last  shot,  when  one  of  the  random 
bullets  struck  him  in  the  breast.  La  Bonte  caught  him  in 
his  arms  as  he  was  about  to  fall,  and  laying  the  wounded 
trapper  gently  on  the  ground,  stripped  him  of  his  buckskin 
hunting-frock,  to  examine  the  wound.  A  glance  was  suffi- 
cient to  convince  his  companions  that  the  blow  was  mortal. 
The  ball  had  passed  through  the  lungs :  and  in  a  few  mo- 
ments the  throat  of  the  wounded  man  swelled  and  turned  to 
a  livid  blue  color,  as  the  choking  blood  descended.  Only  a 
few  drops  of  purple  blood  trickled  from  the  wound — a  fatal 
sign — and  the  eyes  of  the  mountaineer  were  already  glazing 
with  death's  icy  touch.  His  hand  still  grasped  the  barrel  of 
of  his  rifle,  which  had  done  good  service  in  the  fray.  Anon 
he  essayed  to  speak,  but,  choked  with  blood,  only  a  few  inar- 
ticulate words  reached  the  ears  of  his  companions,  as  they 
bent  over  him. 

"  Rubbed — out — at — last,"  they  heard  him  say,  the  words 
gurgling  in  his  blood-filled  throat ;  and  opening  his  eyes  once 
more,  and  turning  them  upward  for  a  last  look  at  the  bright 


124  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

sun,  the  trapper  turned  gently  on  his  side  and  breathed  his 
last  sigh. 

With  no  other  tools  than  their  scalping-knives,  the  hunters 
dug  a  grave  on  the  banks  of  the  creek ;  and  while  some  were 
engaged  in  this  work,  others  sought  the  bodies  of  the  Indians 
they  had  slain  in  the  attack,  and  presently  returned  with  three 
reeking  scalps,  the  trophies  of  the  fight.  The  body  of  the 
mountaineer  was  wrapped  in  a  buffalo  robe,  the  scalps  being 
placed  on  his  breast,  and  the  dead  man  was  then  laid  in  the 
shallow  grave,  and  quickly  covered — without  a  word  of  prayer, 
or  sigh  of  grief;  for,  however  much  his  companions  may  have 
felt,  not  a  word  escaped  them.  The  bitten  lip  and  frowning 
brow  told  of  anger  rather  than  sorrow,  as  they  vowed — what 
they  thought  would  better  please  the  spirit  of  the  dead  man 
than  vain  regrets — bloody  and  lasting  revenge. 

Trampling  down  the  earth  which  filled  the  grave,  they 
raised  upon  it  a  pile  of  heavy  stones  ;  and  packing  their  mules 
once  more  and  taking  a  last  look  at  their  comrade's  lonely 
resting-place,  they  turned  their  backs  upon  the  stream,  which 
has  ever  since  been  known  as  "  Gonneville's  Creek." 

In  all  the  philosophy  of  hardened  hearts,  our  hunters  turned 
from  the  spot  where  the  unfortunate  trapper  met  his  death. 
La  Bonte,  however,  not  yet  entirely  steeled  by  mountain  life 
to  a  perfect  indifference  to  human  feeling,  drew  his  hard  hand 
across  his  eye,  as  the  unbidden  tear  rose  from  his  rough  but 
kindly  heart.  He  could  not  forget  so  soon  the  comrade  he 
had  lost,  the  companion  in  the  hunt  or  over  the  cheerful  camp- 
fire,  the  narrator  of  many  a  tale  of  dangers  past,  of  sufferings 
from  hunger,  cold,  thirst,  and  untended  wounds,  of  Indian 
perils,  and  other  vicissitudes.  One  tear  dropped  from  the 
young  hunter's  eye,  and  rolled  down  his  cheek — the  last  for 
many  a  long  year. 

In  the  forks  of  the  northern  branch  of  the  Platte,  formed 
by  the  junction  of  the  Laramie,  they  found  a  big  village  of 
the  Sioux  encamped  near  the  station  of  one  of  the  fur  com- 


A  WOUNDED  TRAPPER. 


11* 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  127 

panics.  Here  the  party  broke  up ;  many  finding  the  alcohol 
of  the  traders  an  impediment  to  their  further  progress,  re- 
mained some  time  in  the  vicinity,  while  La  Bonte,  Luke,  and 
a  trapper  named  Marcelline,  started  in  a  few  days  to  the 
mountains,  to  trap  on  Sweet  Water  and  Medicine  Bow. 

La  Bonte  and  his  companions  proceeded  up  the  river,  the 
Black  Hills  on  their  left  hand,  from  which  several  small 
creeks  or  feeders  swell  the  waters  of  the  North  Fork.  Along 
these  they  hunted  unsuccessfully  for  beaver  usign,"  and  it 
was  evident  the  spring  hunt  had  almost  exterminated  the 
animal  in  this  vicinity.  Following  Deer  Creek  to  the  ridge 
of  Black  Hills,  they  crossed  the  mountain  on  to  the  waters  of 
the  Medicine  Bow,  and  here  they  discovered  a  few  lodges,  and 
La  Bonte  set  his  first  trap.  He  and  old  Luke  finding  "  cut- 
tings" near  the  camp,  followed  the  "sign"  along  the  bank 
until  the  practiced  eye  of  the  latter  discovered  a  "slide," 
where  the  beaver  had  ascended  the  bank  to  chop  the  trunk 
of  a  cotton  wood,  and  convey  the  bark  to  its  lodge.  Taking 
a  trap  from  "sack,"  the  old  hunter,  after  setting  the  trigger, 
placed  it  carefully  under  the  water,  where  the  "  slide"  en- 
tered the  stream,  securing  the  chain  to  the  stem  of  a  sapling 
on  the  bank ;  while  a  stick,  also  attached  to  the  trap,  by  a 
thong,  floated  down  the  stream,  to  mark  the  position  of  the 
trap,  should  the  animal  carry  it  away.  A  little  farther  on, 
and  near  another  "run,"  three  traps  were  set;  and  over 
these  Luke  placed  a  little  stick,  which  he  first  dipped  into  a 
mysterious-looking  phial  containing  his  "medicine." 

The  next  morning  they  visited  the  traps,  and  had  the 
satisfaction  of  finding  three  fine  beaver  secured  in  the  first 
three  they  visited,  and  the  fourth,  which  had  been  carried 
away,  they  discovered  by  the  float-stick,  a  little  distance  down 
the  stream,  with  a  large  drowned  beaver  between  its  teeth. 

This  animal  being  carefully  skinned,  they  returned  to  camp 
with  the  choicest  portions  of  the  meat,  and  the  tails,  on  which 
they  most  luxuriously  supped ;  and  La  Bonte  was  fain  to 


128  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

confess  that  all  his  ideas  of  the  super-excellence  of  buffalo 
were  thrown  in  the  shade  by  the  delicious  beaver  tail,  the 
rich  meat  of  which  he  was  compelled  to  allow  was  "great 
eating,"  unsurpassed  by  u  tender-loin,"  or  "boudin,"  or  other 
meat  of  whatever  kind  he  had  eaten  of  before. 

Trapping  with  tolerable  success  in  this  vicinity,  the  hunters 
crossed  over,  as  soon  as  the  premonitory  storms  of  approach- 
ing winter  warned  them  to  leave  the  mountains,  to  the  waters 
of  Green  river,  one  of  the  affluents  of  the  Colorado,  intending 
to  winter  at  a  rendezvous  to  be  held  in  "Brown's  Hole" — 
an  inclosed  valley  so  called — which,  abounding  in  game,  and 
sheltered  on  every  side  by  lofty  mountains,  is  a  favorite  win- 
tering-ground of  the  mountaineers.  Here  they  found  several 
trapping  bands  already  arrived ;  and  a  trader  from  the  Uintah 
country,  with  store  of  powder,  lead,  and  tobacco,  prepared  to 
ease  them  of  their  hard-earned  peltries.  Singly,  and  in  bands 
numbering  from  two  to  ten,  the  trappers  dropped  into  the 
rendezvous;  some  with  many  pack-loads  of  beaver,  others 
with  greater  or  less  quantity,  and  more  than  one  on  foot, 
having  lost  his  animals  and  peltry  by  thieving  ^Indians.  Here 
were  soon  congregated  many  mountaineers,  whose  names  are 
famous  in  the  history  of  the  Far  West.  Fitzpatrick  and 
Hatcher,  and  old  Bill  Williams,  well-known  leaders  of  trap- 
ping parties,  soon  arrived  with  their  bands.  Sublette  came 
in  with  his  men  from  Yellow  Stone,  and  many  of  Wyeth's 
New  Englanders  were  there.  Chabonard  with  his  half-breeds, 
Wah-keitchas  all,  brought  his  peltry  from  the  lower  country ; 
and  half  a  dozen  Shawnese  and  Delaware  Indians,  with  a 
Mexican  from  Taos,  one  Marcelline,  a  fine  strapping  fellow, 
the  best  trapper  and  hunter  in  the  mountains,  and  ever  first 
in  the  fight.  Here,  too,  the  "Burgeoise"  traders  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  with  their  superior  equipments, 
ready  to  meet  their  trappers,  and  purchase  the  beaver  at  an 
equitable  value  ;  and  soon  the  trade  opened,  and  the  encamp- 
ment assumed  a  busy  appearance. 


AN  INDIAN  CHIEF. 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  131 

A  curious  assemblage  did  the  rendezvous  present,  and  re 
presentatives  of  many  a  land  met  there.  A  son  of  la  belle 
France  here  lit  his  pipe  from  one  proffered  by  a  native  of 
New  Mexico.  An  Englishman  and  a  Sandwich  Islander  cut 
a  quid  from  the  same  plug  of  tobacco.  A  Swede  and  an  "old 
Virginian"  puffed  together.  A  Shawnese  blew  a  peaceful  cloud 
with  a  scion  of  the  "  Six  Nations."  One  from  the  Land  of 
Cakes — a  canny  chiel — sought  to  "get  round"  (in  trade)  a 
right  "smart"  Yankee,  but  could't  "shine." 

The  beaver  went  briskly,  six  dollars  being  the  price  paid 
for  a  pound,  in  goods — for  money  is  seldom  given  in  the  moun- 
tain market,  where  "beaver"  is  cash,  for  which  the  articles 
supplied  by  the  traders  are  bartered.  In  a  very  short  time 
peltries  of  every  description  had  changed  hands,  either  by 
trade,  or  gambling  with  cards  and  betting. 

Before  the  winter  was  over,  La  Bonte  had  lost  all  traces 
of  civilized  humanity,  and  might  justly  claim  to  be  considered 
as  "hard  a  case"  as  any  of  the  mountaineers  then  present. 
Long  before  the  spring  opened,  he  had  lost  all  the  produce 
of  his  hunt  and  both  his  animals,  which,  however,  by  a  stroke 
of  luck,  he  recovered,  and  wisely  "  held  on  to"  for  the  future. 
Right  glad  when  spring  appeared,  he  started  from  Brown's 
Hole,  with  four  companions,  to  hunt  in  the  Uintah  or  Snake 
country,  and  the  affluents  of  the  larger  streams  which  rise  in 
that  region  and  fall  into  the  Gulf  of  California. 

In  the  valley  of  the  Bear  River  they  found  beaver  abun- 
dant, and  trapped  their  way  westward  until  they  came  upon 
the  famed  locality  of  the  Beer  and  Soda  Springs — natural 
fountains  of  mineral  water,  renowned  among  the  trappers  as 
being  "medicine"  of  the  first  order. 

Arriving  one  evening,  about  sun-down,  at  the  Bear  Spring, 
they  found  a  solitary  trapper  sitting  over  the  rocky  basin, 
intently  regarding,  with  no  little  awe,  the  curious  phenomenon 
of  the  bubbling  gas.  Behind  him  were  piled  his  saddles  and 
a  pack  of  skins,  and  at  a  little  distance  a  hobbled  Indian  pony 


132  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

fed  among  the  cedars  which  formed  a  grove  round  the  spring. 
As  the  three  hunters  dismounted  from  their  animals,  the  lone 
trapper  scarcely  noticed  their  arrival,  his  eyes  being  still 
intently  fixed  upon  the  water.  Looking  round  at  last,  he  was 
instantly  recognized  by  one  of  La  Bonte's  companions,  and 
saluted  as  "  Old  .Rube."  Dressed  from  head  to  foot  in  buck- 
skin, his  face,  neck,  and  hands  appeared  to  be  of  the  same 
leathery  texture,  so  nearly  did  they  assimilate  in  color  to  the 
materials  of  his  dress.  He  was  at  least  six  feet  two  or  three 
in  his  moccasons,  straight-limbed  and  wiry,  with  long  arms 
ending  in  hands  of  tremendous  grasp,  and  a  quantity  of 
straight  black  hair  hanging  on  his  shoulders.  His  features, 
which  were  undeniably  good,  wore  an  expression  of  comical 
gravity,  never  relaxing  into  a  smile,  which  a  broad  good- 
humored  mouth  could  have  grinned  from  ear  to  ear. 

"  What,  boys,"  he  said,  "  will  you  be  simple  enough  to  camp 
here,  alongside  these  springs  ?  Nothing  good  ever  came  of 
sleeping  here,  I  tell  you,  and  the  worst  kind  of  devils  are  in 
those  dancing  waters." 

"Why,  old  hos,"  cried  La  Bonte,  "what  brings  you  hyar 
then,  and  camp  at  that  ?" 

"  This  nigger,"  answered  Rube,  solemnly,  "  has  been  down'd 
upon  a  sight  too  often  to  be  skeared  by  what  can  came  out  from 
them  waters  ;  and  thar  arn't  a  devil  as  hisses  thar,  as  can 
4  shine'  with  this  child,  I  tell  you.  I've  tried  onest,  an'  fourt 
him  to  clawin'  away  to  Eustis,  and  if  I  draws  my  knife  again 
on  such  varmint,  I'll  raise  his  hair,  as  sure  as  shootin. " 

Spite  of  the  reputed  dangers  of  the  locality,  the  trappers 
camped  on  the  spot,  and  many  a  draught  of  the  delicious, 
sparkling  water  they  quaffed  in  honor  of  the  "medicine"  of 
the  fount.  Rube,  however,  sat  sulky  and  silent,  his  huge 
form  bending  over  his  legs,  which  were  crossed,  Indian  fashion, 
under  him,  and  his  long  bony  fingers  spread  over  the  fire, 
which  had  been  made  handy  to  the  spring.  At  last  they 
elicited  from  him  that  he  had  sought  this  spot  for  the  purpose 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  133 

of  "making  medicine,"  having  been  persecuted  by  extraor- 
dinary ill  luck,  even  at  this  early  period  of  his  hunt — the  In- 
dians having  stolen  two  out  of  his  three  animals,  and  three 
of  his  half-dozen  traps.  He  had,  therefore,  sought  the  springs 
for  the  purpose  of  invoking  the  fountain  spirits,  which,  a  per- 
fect Indian  in  his  simple  heart,  he  implicitly  believed  to  inhabit 
their  mysterious  waters.  When  the  others  had,  as  he  thought, 
fallen  asleep,  La  Bonte  observed  the  ill-starred  trapper  take 
from  his  pouch  a  curiously  carved  red  stone  pipe,  which  he 
carefully  charged  with  tobacco  and  kinnik-kinnik.  Then  ap- 
proaching the  spring,  he  walked  three  times  round  it,  and 
gravely  sat  himself  down.  Striking  fire  with  his  flint  and 
steel,  he  lit  his  pipe,  and  bending  the  stem  three  several  times 
towards  the  water,  he  inhaled  a  vast  quantity  of  smoke,  and 
bending  back  his  head  and  looking  upward,  puffed  it  into  the 
air.  He  then  blew  another  puff  toward  the  four  points  of  the 
compass,  and  emptying  the  pipe  into  his  hand,  cast  the  con- 
secrated contents  into  the  spring,  saying  a  few  Indian  "  me- 
dicine" words  of  cabalistic  import.  Having  performed  the 
ceremony  to  his  satisfaction,  he  returned  to  the  fire,  smoked 
a  pipe  on  his  own  hook,  and  turned  into  his  buffalo  robe, 
conscious  of  having  done  a  most  important  duty. 

In  the  course  of  their  trapping  expedition,  and  accompa- 
nied by  Rube,  who  knew  the  country  well,  they  passed  near 
the  Great  Salt  Lake,  a  vast  inland  sea,  whose  salitrose  waters 
cover  an  extent  of  waters  upward  of  one  hundred  and  forty 
miles  in  length,  by  eighty  in  breadth.  Fed  by  several  streams, 
of  which  the  Big  Bear  river  is  the  most  considerable,  this 
lake  presents  the  curious  phenomenon  of  a  vast  body  of  water 
without  any  known  outlet. 

While  following  a  small  creek  at  the  southwest  extremity 
of  the  lake,  they  came  upon  a  band  of  miserable  Indians,  who, 
from  the  fact  of  their  subsisting  chiefly  on  roots,  are  called 
"  Diggers."  At  first  sight  of  the  whites  they  fled  from  their 
wretched  huts,  and  made  toward  the  mountain ;  but  one  of 

12 


134  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

the  trappers,  galloping  up  on  his  horse,  cut  off  their  retreat, 
and  drove  them  like  sheep  before  him  back  to  their  village. 
A  few  of  these  wretched  creatures  came  into  camp  at  sundown, 
and  were  regaled  with  such  meat  as  the  larder  afforded. 
They  appeared  to  have  no  other  food  in  their  village  but  bags 
of  dried  ants  and  their  larvse,  and  a  few  roots  of  the  yampah 
Their  huts  were  constructed  of  a  few  bushes  of  grease-wood, 
piled  up  in  a  sort  of  bre  kwind,  in  which  they  huddled  in 
their  filthy  skins.  During  the  night,  they  crawled  up  to  the 
camp  and  stole  two  of  the  horses,  and  the  next  morning  not 
a  sign  of  them  was  visible.  Now  La  Bonte  witnessed  a  case 
of  mountain  law,  and  the  practical  effects  of  the  "lex  talionis" 
of  the  Far  West." 

The  trail  of  the  runaway  Diggers  bore  to  the  northwest, 
or  along  the  skirts  of  a  barren  waterless  desert,  which 
stretches  far  away  from  the  southern  shores  of  the  Salt  Lake 
to  the  borders  of  Upper  California.  La  Bonte,  with  three 
others,  determined  to  follow  the  thieves,  recover  their  ani- 
mals, and  then  rejoin  the  other  two  (Luke  and  Rube)  on  a 
creek  two  days'  journey  from  their  present  camp.  Starting 
at  sunrise,  they  rode  on  at  a  rapid  pace  all  day,  closely  fol- 
lowing the  trail,  which  led  directly  to  the  northwest,  through 
a  wretched  sandy  country,  without  game  or  water.  From 
the  appearance  of  the  track,  the  Indians  must  have  still  been 
several  hours  ahead  of  them,  when  the  fatigue  of  their  horses, 
suffering  from  want  of  grass  and  water,  compelled  them  to 
camp  near  the  head  of  a  small  water-course,  where  they  luckly 
found  a  hole  containing  a  little  water,  whence  a  broad  Indian 
trail  passed,  apparently  frequently  used.  Long  before  day- 
light they  were  again  in  the  saddle,  and,  after  proceeding  a 
few  miles,  saw  the  lights  of  several  fires  a  short  distance  ahead 
of  them.  Halting  here,  one  of  the  party  advanced  on  foot 
to  reconnoitre,  and  presently  returned  with  intelligence  that 
the  party  they  were  in  pursuit  of  had  joined  a  village  numbering 
thirty  or  forty  huts. 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  137 

Loosening  their  girths,  they  permitted  their  tired  animals 
to  feed  on  the  scanty  herbage  which  presented  itself,  while 
they  refreshed  themselves  with  a  pipe  of  tobacco — for  they 
had  no  meat  of  any  description  with  them,  and  the  country 
afforded  no  game.  As  the  first  streak  of  dawn  appeared  in 
the  east,  they  mounted  their  horses,  after  first  examining  their 
rifles,  and  moved  cautiously  toward  the  Indian  village.  As 
it  was  scarcely  light  enough  for  their  operations,  they  waited 
behind  a  sandhill  in  the  vicinity,  until  objects  became  more 
distinct,  and  then,  emerging  from  their  cover,  with  loud  war- 
whoops,  charged  into  the  midst  of  the  village. 

As  the  frightened  Indians  were  scarcely  risen  from  their 
beds,  no  opposition  was  given  to  the  daring  mountaineers, 
who,  rushing  upon  the  flying  crowd,  discharged  their  rifles  at 
close  quarters,  and  then,  springing  from  their  horses,  attacked 
them  knife  in  hand,  and  only  ceased  the  work  of  butchery 
when  nine  Indians  lay  dead  upon  the  ground.  All  this  time 
the  women,  half  dead  with  fright,  were  huddled  together  on 
the  ground,  howling  piteously ;  and  the  mountaineers  ad- 
vancing to  them,  whirled  their  lassoes  round  their  heads,  and 
throwing  the  open  nooses  into  the  midst,  hauled  out  three  of 
them,  and  securing  their  arms  in  the  rope,  bound  them  to  a 
tree,  and  then  proceeded  to  scalp  the  dead  bodies.  While 
they  were  engaged  in  this  work,  an  old  Indian,  withered  and 
grisly,  and  hardly  bigger  than  an  ape,  suddenly  emerged  from 
a  rock,  holding  in  his  left  hand  a  bow  and  a  handful  of  arrows, 
while  one  was  already  drawn  to  the  head.  Running  toward 
them,  and  almost  before  the  hunters  were  aware  of  his  pre- 
sence, he  discharged  an  arrow  at  a  few  yards'  distance,*  which 
buried  itself  in  the  ground  not  a  foot  from  La  Bonte's  head, 
as  he  bent  over  the  body  of  an  Indian  he  was  scalping ;  and 
hardly  had  the  whiz  ceased,  when  whirr  flew  another,  strik- 
ing him  in  the  right  shoulder.  Before  the  Indian  could  fit  a 
third  arrow  to  his  bow,  La  Bonte  sprang  upon  him,  seized 
him  by  the  middle,  and  spinning  his  pigmy  form  round  his 

12* 


138  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

head,  as  easily  as  he  would  have  twirled  a  tomahawk,  he 
threw  him  with  tremendous  force  upon  the  ground  at  the 
feet  of  one  of  his  companions,  who,  stooping  down,  coolly 
thrust  the  knife  into  the  Indian's  breast,  and  quickly  tore 
off  his  scalp. 

The  slaughter  over,  without  casting  an  eye  to  the  captive 
squaws,  the  trappers  proceeded  to  search  the  village  for  food, 
of  which  they  stood  much  in  need.  Nothing,  however,  was 
found  but  a  few  bags  of  dried  ants,  which,  after  eating  vora- 
ciously of,  but  with  wry  mouths,  they  threw  aside,  saying 
the  food  was  worse  than  "  poor  bull."  They  found,  however, 
the  animals  they  had  been  robbed  of,  and  two  more  besides — 
wretched,  half-starved  creatures  ;  and  on  these  mounting  their 
captives,  they  hurried  away  on  their  journey  back  to  their 
companions,  the  distance  being  computed  at  three  days'  travel 
from  their  present  position.  However,  they  thought,  by 
taking  a  more  direct  course,  they  might  find  better  pasture 
for  their  animals,  and  water,  besides  saving  at  least  half  a 
day  by  the  short  cut.  To  their  cost  they  proved  the  old 
saying,  that  "  a  short  cut  is  always  a  long  road,"  as  will  be 
presently  shown. 

It  has  been  said  that  from  the  southwestern  extremity  of 
the  Great  Salt  Lake,  a  vast  desert  extends  for  hundreds  of 
miles,  unbroken  by  the  slightest  vegetation,  destitute  of  game 
and  water,  a  cheerless  expanse  of  sandy  plain,  or  rugged 
mountain,  thinly  covered  with  dwarf  pine  or  cedar,  the  only 
evidence  of  vegetable  life.  Into  this  desert,  ignorant  of  the 
country,  the  trappers  struck,  intending  to  make  their  short 
cut ;  and,  travelling  on  all  day,  .were  compelled  to  camp  at 
night,  without  water  or  pasture  for  their  exhausted  animals 
"gave  out,"  and  they  were  fain  to  leave  them  behind;  but 
imagining  that  they  must  soon  strike  a  creek,  they  pushed  on, 
till  noon,  but  still  no  water  presented  itself,  nor  a  sign  of 
game  of  any  description.  The  animals  were  nearly  exhausted 
and  a  horse,  which  could  scarcely  keep  up  with  the  slow  pace 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  139 

of  the  ethers,  was  killed,  and  its  blood  greedily  drunk  ;  a  por- 
tion of  the  flesh  being  eaten  raw,  and  a  supply  carried  with 
them  for  future  emergencies. 

The  next  morning  two  of  the  horses  lay  dead  at  their 
pickets,  and  one  only  remained,  and  this  in  such  a  miserable 
state  that  it  could  not  possibly  have  travelled  six  miles  further. 
It  was,  therefore,  killed,  and  its  blood  drunk,  of  which,  how- 
ever, the  captive  squaws  refused  to  partake.  The  men 
began  to  feel  the  effects  of  their  consuming  thirst,  which  the 
horse's  hot  blood  only  served  to  increase ;  their  lips  became 
parched  and  swollen,  their  eyes  bloodshot,  and  a  giddy  sick- 
ness seized  them  at  intervals.  About  mid-day  they  came  in 
sight  of  a  mountain  on  the  right  hand,  which  appeared  to  be 
more  thickly  clothed  with  vegetation ;  and  arguing  from  this 
that  water  would  be  found  there,  they  left  their  course  and 
made  towards  it,  although  some  eight  or  ten  miles  distant. 
On  arriving  at  the  base,  the  most  minute  search  failed  to  dis- 
cover the  slightest  traces  of  water,  and  the  vegetation  merely 
consisted  of  dwarf  pinon  and  cedar.  With  their  sufferings 
increased  by  the  exertions  they  had  used  in  reaching  the 
mountain,  they  once  more  sought  the  trail,  but  every  step 
told  on  their  exhausted  frames.  The  sun  was  very  powerful, 
the  sand  over  which  they  floundered  was  deep  and  heavy,  and, 
to  complete  their  sufferings,  a  high  wind  blew  it  in  their 
faces,  filling  their  mouths  and  noses  with  its  searching 
particles. 

Still  they  struggled  on  manfully,  and  not  a  murmur  was 
heard  until  their  hunger  had  entered  the  second  stage  upon 
the  road  to  starvation.  They  had  now  been  three  days  with- 
out food  or  water ;  under  which  privation  nature  can  hardly 
sustain  herself  for  a  much  longer  period.  On  the  fourth 
morning  the  men  looked  wolfish,  their  captives  following  be- 
hind in  sullen  and  perfect  indifference,  occasionally  stooping 
down  to  catch  a  beetle  if  one  presented  itself,  and  greedily 
devouring  it.  A  man  named  Forey,  a  Canadian  half-breed, 


140  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

was  the  first  to  complain.  "If  this  lasts  till  sundown,"  he 
said,  "  some  of  them  would  '  be  rubbed  out ;'  that  meat  had 
to  be  raised  any  how ;  and  for  his  part,  he  knew  where  to  look 
for  a  feed,  if  no  game  was  seen  before  they  put  out  of  camp 
on  the  morrow ;  and  meat  was  meat  any  how  they  might 
fix  it." 

No  answer  was  made  to  this,  though  his  companions  well 
understood  him  ;  their  natures  as  yet  revolted  against  the 
last  expedient.  As  for  the  three  squaws,  all  of  them  young 
girls,  they  followed  behind  their  captors  without  a  word  of 
complaint,  and  with  the  stoical  indifference  to  pain  and  suf- 
fering which  alike  characterizes  the  haughty  Delaware  of 
the  north,  and  the  miserable,  stunted  Digger  of  the  deserts 
of  the  Far  West.  On  the  morning  of  the  fifth  day,  the  party 
were  seated  round  a  small  fire  of  pinon,  hardly  able  to  rise 
and  commence  their  journey,  the  squaws  squatting  over  one 
at  a  little  distance,  when  Forey  commenced  again  to  suggest 
that,  if  nothing  offered,  they  must  either  take  the  alternative 
of  starving  to  death,  for  they  could  not  hope  to  last  another 
day,  or  have  recourse  to  the  revolting  extremity  of  sacrific- 
ing one  of  the  party  to  save  the  lives  of  all.  To  this,  how- 
ever, there  was  a  murmur  of  dissent,  and  it  was  finally  re- 
solved that  all  should  sally  out  and  hunt ;  for  a  deer  track 
had  been  discovered  near  the  camp,  which,  although  it  was 
not  a  fresh  one,  proved  that  there  must  be  game  in  the 
vicinity.  Weak  and  exhausted  as  they  were,  they  took  their 
rifles  and  started  for  the  neighboring  uplands,  each  taking  a 
different  direction. 

It  was  nearly  sunset  when  La  Bonte  returned  to  the  camp, 
where  he  already  espied  one  of  his  companions  engaged  in 
cooking  something  over  the  fire.  Hurrying  to  the  spot,  over- 
joyed with  the  anticipations  of  a  feast,  he  observed  that  the 
squaws  were  gone ;  but,  at  the  same  time  thought  it  was  not 
improbable  they  had  escaped  during  their  absence.  Approach- 
ing the  fire,  he  observed  Forey  broiling  some  meat  on  the 


LA  BONTE'S  ADVENTURES.  141 

embers,  while  at  a  little  distance  lay  what  he  fancied  was  the 
carcass  of  a  deer. 

"Hurrah,  boy!"  he  exclaimed,  as  he  drew  near  the  fire. 
"You've  'made'  a  'raise,'  I  see." 

"  Well,  I  have,"  rejoined  the  other,  turning  his  meat  with 
the  point  of  his  butcher  knife.  "  There's  the  meat,  hos — 
help  yourself." 

La  Bonte  drew  the  knife  from  his  scabbard,  and  approached 
the  spot  his  companion  was  pointing  to  ;  but  what  was  his 
horror  to  see  the  yet  quivering  body  of  one  of  the  Indian 
squaws,  with  a  large  portion  of  the  flesh  butchered  from  it, 
part  of  which  Forey  was  already  greedily  devouring.  The 
knife  dropped  from  his  hand,  and  his  heart  rose  to  his  throat. 

The  next  day  he  and  his  companion  struck  the  creek  where 
Rube  and  the  other  trapper  had  agreed  to  await  them,  and 
found  them  in  camp  with  plenty  of  meat,  and  about  to  start 
again  on  their  hunt,  having  given  up  the  others  for  lost. 
From  the  day  they  parted  nothing  was  ever  heard  of  La 
Bonte 's  other  two  companions,  who  doubtless  fell  a  prey  to 
utter  exhaustion,  and  were  unable  to  return  to  the  camp. 
And  thus  ended  the  Digger  expedition. 

It  may  appear  almost  incredible  that  men  having  civilized 
blood  in  their  veins  could  perpetrate  such  wanton  and  cold- 
blooded acts  of  aggression  on  the  wretched  Indians,  as  that 
detailed  above ;  but  it  is  a  fact  that  the  mountaineers  never 
lose  an  opportunity  of  slaughtering  these  miserable  Diggers, 
and  attacking  their  villages,  often  for  the  purpose  of  captur- 
ing women,  whom  they  carry  off,  and  not  unfrequently  sell  to 
each  other.  In  these  attacks  neither  sex  nor  age  is  spared ; 
and  your  mountaineer  has  as  little  compunction  in  taking  the 
life  of  an  Indian  woman,  as  he  would  have  in  sending  his 
rifle-ball  through  the  brain  of  a  Crow  or  Blackfoot  warrior. 

It  may  be  some  satisfaction  to  the  reader  to  know  that  La 
Bonte,  after  a  mountain  and  prairie  life  of  about  fifteen  years, 
during  which  he  met  with  many  adventures  of  a  character 


142 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


similar  to  those  above  narrated,  had  the  pleasure  of  rescuing 
his  former  sweetheart  from  the  hands  of  the  Indians;  of 
finding  her  still  true  to  him,  of  returning  with  her  to  the 
settlements,  and  of  enjoying  many  years  of  connubial  delight. 
It  was  a  sore  trial  for  him  to  give  up  his  free  and  roving 
habits,  but  love  worked  the  magic  in  him  which  many  greater 
men  have  felt.  Killbuck  "lost  his  hair"  and  "went  under" 
in  a  fight  with  the  Indians. 


i 


V 


IT  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  great  mass  of  personal 
adventures,  with  which  the  life  of  the  pioneers  in  the  west  is 
known  to  have  abounded,  has  accompanied  the  actors  in  those 
scenes  to  the  oblivion  of  the  grave.  And  yet  we  could  expect 
nothing  else.  The  privations  and  sufferings  of  the  wilderness, 
the  dangers  and  escapes  in  conflicts  with  savage  beasts,  and 
equally  savage  Indians  were  such  every  day  occurrences,  as 
to  be  considered  hardly  worth  repeating,  still  less,  recording, 
and  many  a  spirit-stirring  incident  and  adventure  is  now 
forever  lost. 

fiere  and  there,  however,  may  be  found  some  rough  pine- 
knot  survivor,  who  in  the  evening  of  life  can  look  back  to  the 
scuffles  with  Indians,  or  conflicts  with  wild  beasts  with  an  inte- 
rest of  which  he  felt  nothing  at  the  time,  the  more  so  when 
he  finds  a  stranger  like  myself,  ready  and  desirous  to  take  the 
narrative  from  his  own  lips. 

Mr.  E.  E.  Williams,  has  furnished  me  with  some  interesting 
notes  of  pioneer  adventures.  He  has  been  an  old  hunter, 
supplying  not  only  his  own  family,  but  the  settlements  in 

13  (145) 


146  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

which  he  lived — Cincinnati  among  the  rest, — with  venison 
and  bear  meat.  He  killed  the  last  buffalo  ever  seen  in  Ken- 
tucky. At  the  age  of  seventy-five,  his  bodily  and  mental 
powers  are  unimpaired.  He  owns  a  farm  in  the  rear  of  Cov- 
ington  Kentucky,  and,  at  that  age,  as  his  day's  work,  splits 
over  one  hundred  rails. 

"Well,"  said  this  old  veteran,  after  finishing  his  statistics 
of  Indian  warfare,  and  in  reply  to  other  questions,  "let  me 
tell  you  a  story  or  two  of  bears  and  panthers. 

"I  was  living  on  a  branch  of  Bigbone,  called  Panther  Run, 
from  the  circumstance  to  this  day.  It  was  the  year  after  I 
had  been  out  with  General  Wayne.  I  had  left  home  for  a  deer 
hunt,  with  rifle,  tomahawk,  and  butcher  knife  in  my  belt  as 
customary,  and  scouring  about  the  woods,  I  come  to  a  thick 
piece  of  brush,  a  perfect  thicket  of  hoop-poles.  I  discovered 
some  dreadful  growling  and  scuffling  was  going  on,  by  the 
sound  apparently  within  a  hundred  yards  or  so.  I  crept  as 
cautiously  and  silently  as  possible  through  the  thicket,  and 
kept,  on  until  I  found  myself  within  perhaps  twenty  steps  of 
two  very  large  male  panthers,  who  were  making  a  desperate 
fight,  screaming,  spitting  and  yelling  like  a  couple  of  ram  cats, 
only  much  louder,  as  you  may  guess.  At  last  one  of  them 
seemed  to  have  absolutely  killed  the  other,  for  he  lay  quite 
motionless.  This  is  what  I  had  been  waiting  for,  and  while 
the  other  was  swinging  back  and  forwards  over  him  in  triumph, 
I  blazed  away,  but  owing  to  that  kind  of  motion,  I  shot  him 
through  the  bulge  of  the  ribs,  a  little  too  far  back  to  kill  him 
instantly.  They  are  a  very  hard  animal  to  kill,  any  how. 
But  he  made  one  prodigious  bound  through  the  brush,  and 
cleared  himself  out  of  my  sight,  the  ground  where  we  were 
being  quite  broken  as  well  as  sideling.  I  then  walked  up  to 
the  other,  mistrusting  nothing,  and  was  within  a  yard  of  him, 
when  he  made  one  spring  to  his  feet  and  fastened  on  my  left 
shoulder  with  his  teeth  and  claws,  where  he  inflicted  several 
deep  wounds.  I  was  uncommonly  active  as  well  as  stout  in 


A  PANTHER  ADVENTURE. 


14T 


those  days,  and  feared  neither  man  nor  mortal  in  a  scuffle, 
but  I  had  work  to  keep  my  feet  under  the  weight  of  such  a 
beast.  I  had  my  knife  out  in  an  instant,  and  put  into  him  as 
fast  as  possible  for  dear  life.  So  we  tusseled  away,  and  the 
ground  being  sideling  and  steep  at  that,  which  increased  my 
trouble  to  keep  from  falling ;  we  gradually  worked  down  hill 
till  I  was  forced  against  a  log,  and  we  both  came  to  the  ground, 
I  inside  and  the  panther  outside  of  it,  he  still  keeping  hold, 
although  evidently  weakening  under  the  repeated  digs  and 
rips  he  was  getting.  I  kept  on  knifing  away  till  I  found  his 
hold  slackening,  and  he  let  go  at  last  to  my  great  rejoicing. 
I  got  to  my  feet,  made  for  my  rifle,  which  I  had  dropped  early 
in  the  scuffle,  got  it  and  ran  home.  I  gathered  the  neighbors 
with  their  dogs,  and  on  returning  found  the  panthers  not  more 
than  fifteen  rods  apart ;  the  one  I  had  knifed  dying,  and  the 
one  I  had  shot  making  an  effort  to  climb  a  tree  to  the  height 
of  eight  or  ten  feet,  when  he  was  speedily  dispatched.  Next 
day  I  stripped  them  of  their  skins,  which  I  sold  to  a  saddler 
at  Lexington,  for  two  dollars  a  piece.  You  may  depend,  I 
never  got  into  such  a  grip  again  with  a  panther. 


jt^gig 


ty  6l|in|!ege 


MUCH  may  have  been  said,  but  little  has  been  written,  of 
the  yet  but  very  partially  explored  part  of  the  world  between 
China  and  the  Himalaya  chain.  Moorcroft  and  Gerard, 
many  years  ago,  visited  some  parts  bordering  on  the  extreme 
north-west  parts  of  the  British  Possessions  in  India.  Fraser,  a 
few  years  later,  penetrated  probably  those  parts  of  it  adjoin- 
(148) 


13* 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE  TARTARY.  151 

ing  the  central  hill  sanatoriums  of  Simla  and  Almorah,  and 
he,  like  his  predecessors,  was  stopped  by  the  jealous  govern- 
ment and  inhabitants.  Previous  to  entering  Chinese  Tartary 
from  British  India,  the  traveller  has  to  cross  certain  passes 
in  the  great  snowy  range,  some  of  them  varying  in  height 
from  sixteen  to  eighteen  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea.  The  Barinda,  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  frequented 
of  these  passes,  is  variously  estimated  at  from  seventeen  to 
eighteen  thousand  feet.  The  months  of  June,  July,  and  Au- 
gust, are  generally  considered  the  best  months  for  crossing. 

The  scenery  in  and  around  these  passes  is  of  the  most  sub- 
lime description.  As  I  should  assuredly  fail,  however,  in 
describing  it,  I  must  content  myself  with  a  narration  of  some 
personal  adventures  which  befel  me  in  an  attempt  to  carry 
into  effect  a  long-cherished  determination  to  make  the  ac- 
quaintance of  the  Seeta  Bhaloo,  (White  Bear,)  and  the  Burul, 
(Wild  Sheep,)  found  only  in  these  regions.  By  the  route  I 
took,  seventeen  marches  brought  me  to  the  snow.  Here  our 
"roughing,"  commenced,  the  Peharrees,  or  hill  men,  of  our 
side  of  the  snow,  having  a  most  religious  horror  of  the  great 
snowy  range.  The  air  there  they  say  is  charged  with  "  bis," 
(poison,)  and  this  is  the  only  way  they  can  in  their  original 
way  account  for  the  painful  and  distressing  effects  which  the 
rarefied  air  in  those  elevations  produces  on  the  human  frame. 
The  first  intimation  we  have  that  we  are  far  above  the  alti- 
tude of  comfort,  is  a  dull  heavy  pain  on  the  shoulders,  as  if 
you  were  carrying  a  load  above  your  capacity ;  then  a  very 
painful  sensation  on  the  forehead,  as  if  it  had  been  bandaged 
unpleasantly  tight,  accompanied  by  a  burning  sensation  of 
the  eyes  and  nose,  followed  by  an  involuntary  bleeding  of  the 
latter.  This  last  symptom  of  the  effect  of  high  rarefication, 
is,  to  an  Englishman,  at  least  it  was  to  us,  always  a  great 
relief.  It  operates  differently  upon  the  natives  ;  they  become 
more  alarmed  and  helpless,  and,  unless  hurried  through  the 
passes  very  expeditiously,  invariably  perish.  On  my  first  trip, 


152  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

I  left  two  unfortunate  hill  men  in  the  Sogla  Pass.  Two  more 
would  have  perished,  had  I  not  taken  one  wheelbarrow  fashion, 
by  the  legs,  and  dragged  him  after  me  (although  very  much 
distressed  myself)  until  we  had  descended  sufficiently  to  rest 
with  safety.  My  head  man,  Jye  Sing,  by  my  direction  took 
the  other  man,  and  both  were  saved. 

After  getting  through  the  pass,  we  came  upon  the  inha- 
bited tracks,  and  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  Bhootias.  I 
found  them  very  original,  very  dirty,  and  very  honest  with 
regard  to  every  thing  except  tobacco.  This,  neither  father 
nor  mother,  husband  nor  wife,  could  help  stealing,  whenever 
they  had  an  opportunity ;  and  the  most  amusing  part  of  it 
was,  they  never  attempted  to  deny  the  theft,  but  stoutly 
maintained  their  right  to  the  article  !  Numerous  were  the 
thrashings  inflicted  by  Buctoo  on  them  for  tobacco  thieving, 
but  the  thefts  did  not  diminish. 

As  my  object  in  coming  into  these  fastnesses  was  to  get 
on  terms  of  familiarity  with  the  quadrupedal  rather  than  the 
bipedal  inhabitants,  I  will  leave  the  Bootias,  and  proceed  to 
describe  my  rencontres  with  the  equally  civilized  four-footed 
denizens.  I  had  in'my  employ  Shikarees  (game-seekers)  of 
no  ordinary  class,  who,  having  been  many  years  with  me, 
were  well  tutored ;  although,  when  first  caught,  they  were 
ignorance  personified,  as  far  as  sporting  matters  went.  Their 
original  incapacity  will  be  easily  credited,  when  I  inform 
them  that  my  second  best,  Buctoo,  had  followed  the  sporting 
occupation  of  a  village  fiddler,  before  he  entered  my  service, 
and  knew  as  much  of  the  capabilities  of  an  English  double- 
barrelled  rifle  as  he  did  of  the  "Pleiades."  Jye  Sing  was  a 
a  little  better  informed,  for  he  told  me  confidentially,  one  day, 
he  had  seen  a  gentleman  at  Subathoo  actually  kill  quail  flying 
with  small  shot.  His  occupation  had  been  that  of  findal 
(porter)*  to  some  families  at  Simla.  Two  months'  training 
turned  him  out,  not  only  one  of  the  most  intelligent,  but  the 
pluckiest  Shikaree  I  ever  had. 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE  TARTARY.  153 


Having,  in  my  numerous  excursions  into  the  hills,  obtained 
some  very  vague  information  from  the  many  villagers  I  came 
in  contact  with,  that  they  had  often  heard  from  parties  re- 
siding near  the  snow  that  there  was  an  animal  to  be  found 
there  strongly  resembling  the  famous  sheep,  (Ovis  Burrul,)  I 
determined  upon  dispatching  Jye  Sing  and  Buctoo  to  those 
regions,  to  obtain  all  the  precise  information  that  might  be 
available,  cautioning  them  not  to  return  without  either  hav- 
ing seen  the  animal,  or  bringing  me  some  proof  of  its  exist- 
ence, and  further  promising  them  a  handsome  present,  if  they 
brought  me  satisfactory  information.  They  were  absent  two 
months,  and  returned  with  some  most  marvellous  stories  about 
what  they  had  seen  and  heard,  and,  as  a  proof  of  the  exist- 
ence of  the  animal,  brought  me  the  horn  of  a  wild  sheep  they 
had  picked  up  in  one  of  the  valleys  in  the  snow,  after  an 
avalanche  had  melted.  This  physical  fragment  at  once  removed 
all  my  doubts,  the  horn  being  different  from  that  of  any  tame 
sheep.  I  was  now  wound  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  hopeful 
excitement ;  my  marching  establishment  was  soon  put  in  order, 
and  we  started  on  the  following  day.  Fifteen  forced  marches 


154 


brought  me  to  the  foot  of  the  snow,  and  also  to  the  last 
village,  called  "  Ufsul."  I  found  the  inhabitants  of  this  village 
a  most  rude  and  demi-barbarous  race,  knowing  little,  and  wish- 
ing to  know  less,  of  Englishmen,  of  whom  they  seemed  to 
have  the  greatest  dread.  However,  two  days'  soft  sawdering 
with  a  plentiful  supply  of  hill  "Buckshee,"  (spirits,)  made 
them  more  communicative ;  and  they  at  last  informed  me, 
if  I  would  promise  only  to  remain  a  week,  they  would  show 
me  the  wild  sheep.  This  promise,  of  course,  I  gave  ;  and  on 
the  following  morning  at  daybreak,  shivering  cold  as  it  was, 
we  started  to  ascend  the  snow-capped  mountains  and  glaciers, 
which  the  animal  patronized.  On  the  road  up,  I  was  often 
sorely  tempted  to  draw  my  ball  and  ram  down  shot,  in  order 
to  bring  down  some  of  the  many  woodcocks  we  were  constantly 
flushing,  and  which  were  so  unaccustomed  to  be  disturbed,  that 
they  only  flew  a  few  yards  away ;  but  I  resisted  the  temptation. 
As  we  progressed  into  the  regions  of  eternal  snow,  we  began 
to  find  pedestrianism  a  difficult  task.  Some  parts  of  the  path 


- 


KILLING  A  WILD  SHEEP. 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE  TARTARY. 


157 


THIBETAN  WILD  SHEEP. 

were  very  slippery  and  hard ;  others,  soft  and  knee-deep  in 
snow.  An  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  height  we  had  to  ascend, 
and  the  nature  of  the  ground  which  we  traversed,  when  I 
mention  that  we  left  our  tents  at  seven  A.  M,  and  had  not 
arrived  at  the  "sheep-walk"  before  one. 

Now  commenced  the  difficulty.  The  burrul,  from  its  well- 
known  and  secluded  habits,  is  a  most  difficult  animal  to  ap- 
proach. I  was,  however,  rewarded  for  my  labor.  About  two 
o'clock  we  came  upon  the  fresh  marks  of  the  flock ;  we  followed 
them  for  some  distance,  but  coming  near  a  hot  spring  where 
they  had  evidently  been  grazing,  of  course  lost  all  farther 
track.  For  the  next  hour  I  worked  up  one  glacier,  around 
another,  used  my  telescope,  but  could  not  discern  any  object, 
suddenly  one  of  the  villagers  called  my  attention  to  some- 
thing above  me.  I  looked  up  and  beheld  a  pair  of  enormous 
horns  bending  over.  None  of  the  body  of  the  animal  was  then 
visible.  I  now  cautiously  moved  a  short  distance  to  the  right, 
when  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  not  only  his  horns,  but 

14 


158  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


A  WHITE  BEAR. 

had  a  full  broadside  view  of  the  first  wild  sheep  I  ever  saw. 
He  was  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  off.  Having  ele- 
vated the  proper  sight,  I  brought  my  rifle  to  bear  on  the 
shoulder,  took  a  steady  and  gradual  draw  of  the  trigger,  the 
rifle  cracked,  and  dead  came  down  the  burrul  of  Thibet. 

Perhaps,  up  to  this  time,  the  burrul  had  known  no  other 
mortal  foe  than  the  white,  or  whitey-brown  bear  of  the  hills — 
the  seeta  bhaloo,  as  he  is  called.  And  this  brings  me  to 
another  part  of  my  hunting  excursion. 

Whether  from  the  scarcity  of  food,  or  the  amiability  of 
their  dispositions,  the  seeta  bhaloo  are  to  be  met  with  con- 
stantly in  small  bodies  of  from  five  to  ten,  differing  in  this 
respect  from  their  sable  brethren,  who  are  generally  found 
alone,  unless  a  matrimonial  alliance  has  been  formed,  when 
the  intrusion  of  a  third  party,  whether  male  or  female,  ensures 
a  fight. 

The  white  bear  is  only  carnivorous  when  pressed  by  hunger, 
and  in  that  state  is  very  destructive  to  the  numerous  Tartar 
flocks  of  sheep,  for  Bruin  with  an  empty  larder  is  not  to  be 
deterred  from  his  ravenous  attacks  by  men  or  dogs — a  haunch 
of  mutton  he  will  have.  His  mode  of  devouring  it  differs 
greatly  from  that  of  the  tiger  or  leopard.  He  tears  the 
fleece  off  with  his  paws,  and  instead  of  gnawing  and  tearing 


HUNTING  THE  WHITE  BEAR. 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE   TARTARY.  161 

the  flesh,  as  most  carnivorous  animals  do,  he  commences 
sucking  it,  and  in  this  way  draws  off  the  flesh  in  shreds,  thus 
occupying  four  or  five  hours  in  doing  what  a  tiger  or  leopard 
would  effectually  achieve  in  half  an  hour.  It  is  well  known 
among  the  Tartars,  and  I  know  it  also  from  experience,  that 
a  bear,  after  feasting  off  flesh  is  a  very  dangerous  customer, 
and  will  always  show  fight.  If  near  the  carcass  he  has  cap- 
tured, he  will  give  very  little  trouble  in  looking  for  him,  in- 
deed, he  will  almost  invariably  attack  the  intruder.  One  day, 
while  following  up  some  wild  sheep,  I  came  upon  two  bears 
very  busily  engaged  in  digging  up  the  snow  where  an  ava- 
lanche had  fallen.  Being  hid  from  their  sight,  I  determined 
to  wait  some  little  time  to  ascertain  why  they  were  digging. 
I  accordingly  ensconsed  myself  behind  a  rock,  and  allowed 
them  to  work  away.  In  about  an  hour  they  made  a  very 
good  opening ;  and  on  using  my  glass  I  found  they  had  got 
hold  of  something.  I  now  pushed  up  to  them.  One  imme- 
diately showed  fight,  and  came  out  to  meet  me.  He  made 
one  charge  at  me,  which  I  rebutted  with  a  rifle-ball,  killing 
him  the  very  first  shot.  The  other  bear  got  away.  On  going 
to  the  spot  where  they  had  been  at  work,  I  found  the  exhumed 
dead  bodies  of  three  wild  sheep.  They  had  been  carried 
away  and  buried  underneath  the  avalanche,  probably  as  far 
back  as  the  previous  year,  considering  the  very  compact  and 
frozen  state  the  snow  was  in.  The  sheep  were  in  excellent 
order.  We  skinned  them,  and  took  them  to  our  tents,  and 
excellent  mutton  we  had  for  several  days. 

On  the  melting  of  the  snow,  the  golden  eagle  of  the  Hi- 
malaya— a  magnificent  bird,  often  measuring  thirteen  feet 
from  the  tip  of  one  wing  to  the  other — is  one  of  the  best  of 
pointers  a  sportsman  can  follow,  to  ascertain  where  any  ani- 
mal has  been  carried  away  by  an  avalanche.  He  hovers  over 
the  spot,  constantly  alighting,  and  then  taking  wing  again ; 
but  if  once  you  observe  him  pecking  with  his  beak  you  may 
proceed  to  the  spot,  and  be  certain  of  finding,  a  very  short 

14* 


162 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


THE  GOLDEN  EAGLE. 

distance  below  the  snow,  the  carcass  of  a  wild  sheep,  as  fresh 
as  it  was  on  the  day  it  was  carried  away.  Many  a  haunch 
of  good  mutton  have  I  obtained  in  this  way. 

The  Himalaya  golden  eagle  is  a  very  carrion  crow,  never 
destroying  its  own  game,  but  feeding  on  any  dead  carcass  it 
may  find.  Many  an  eagle  have  I  shot  feeding  on  the  carcass 
of  an  unfortunate  hill  bullock,  which,  either  through  stupidity 
or  fright,  had  tumbled  over  a  precipice ;  and  never,  during 
the  many  years  I  shot  over  all  parts  of  these  hills,  do  I  know 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE   TARTARY.  165 


THE  LAMMERGEYER. 

an  instance  of  a  golden  eagle  pouncing  on  or  carrying  away 
a  living  prey. 

The  Tartar  shepherds  near  the  snow  informed  me  that 
during  the  lambing  season  the  eagles  were  very  troublesome. 
If  a  ewe  dropt  a  sickly  lamb,  and  left  it,  the  eagles  would 
attack  it,  but  never  attempted  to  stoop  to  carry  away  a  lively 
one,  or  one  that  followed  its  mother.  The  Indian  golden  eagle 
is  identical  with  the  Laminergeyer  of  the  Alps,  but  wants  the 
courage  of  the  latter  bird. 

Jtevenons  a  nous  moutons — literally,  let  us  go  back  to  our 
sheep.  A  companion  and  myself  had  been  working  hard  in 
the  "  Sogla,"  one  of  the  passes  in  the  snowy  range  conducting 
into  Chinese  Tartary,  after  the  wild  sheep,  and  found  them 
this  day  more  wary  than  on  any  previous  occasion.  It  is  not 
generally  known  that  there  are  two  species  of  wild  sheep — one 
called  the  Dairuk,  and  the  other  (an  enormous  animal,  at  least 
as  far  as  its  horns  are  concerned)  known  to  naturalists  as  the 
ovis  ammon.  The  horns  and  head  of  the  latter  are  as  much  as 
a  hill  man  can  lift,  and  singular  enough  the  body  is  small 
indeed,  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  horns  borne  by  a  full- 
grown  ram.  My  companions  and  self  espied  on  an  opposite 
hill  what  we  at  first  (through  our  telescopes)  thought  was  an 


166  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

enormous  pair  of  horns  moving  without  any  ostensible  carriage. 
At  last  we  observed  the  body,  and  I,  in  delight,  exclaimed, 
"By  Jove,  there  is  the  ovis  ammon  at  last."  After  consider- 
able trouble  and  precious  hard  work,  we  worked  up  to  within 
range,  when  a  shot  from  my  rifle  brought  the  ram  tumbling 
down  over  the  snow.  I  hoped  and  believed  he  was  dead ;  but 
he  was  only  wounded.  He  got  up  again,  and,  in  spite  of  the 
wound,  made  a  very  good  gallop  over  the  deep  snow.  Find- 
ing he  was  too  fast  for  us,  we  slipped  our  dogs,  and  among 
them  my  poor  "  Karchia."  The  poor  dog,  as  usual,  was  first 
up  with  the  ram,  and  seized  him.  The  ram,  having  still  a 
good  deal  in  him,  broke  the  hold,  and  down  he  went  to  the 
bottom  of  the  ravine,  where  ran  the  Tonse  river,  a  tributary 
of  the  Jumna  here  in  the  snow.  The  river  was  covered  over 
in  many  places  by  avalanches,  and  was  also  partly  frozen ; 
but  in  many  places  there  were  large  holes.  The  ram  bounded 
over  these  until  my  poor  dog  Karchia  again  closed  with  and 
seized  him  behind.  With  a  vigorous  eifort  the  ovis  ammon 
shook  him  off.  A  few  yards  before  the  steep  was  a  large  hole 
in  the  Tonse,  the  water  foaming  up  through  it ;  into  this  ovis 
ammon  threw  himself,  and  was  carried  under  the  snow, 
Heaven  knows  where.  On  arriving  at  the  spot  I  found  my 
poor  dog  baying  most  piteously,  and  trying  to  bite  away  the 
frozen  sides,  but  to  no  purpose,  and  I  was  obliged  immediately 
to  get  him  chained  up,  fearing  he  would  have  plunged  in  after 
the  game,  when  I  should  have  lost  him,  and  most  probably  my 
own  life.  Having  thus  introduced  the  wild  sheep  and  white 
bear  of  Tartary,  a  few  sentences  may  not  unprofitably  be  spent 
in  describing  the  genus  homo  of  the  Snowy  Range.  The 
Tartars,  as  may  be  imagined,  are  a  very  original  race,  and 
in  those  parts  visited  by  me  I  found  them  very  primitive  and 
inoffensive,  always  barring  the  petty  larceny  propensities. 
Depending  chiefly  on  the  sale  of  their  wool  for  their  support, 
and  being  Bhuddhists  by  religion,  they  dare  not  destroy  ani- 
mal life ;  but  when  nature  has  deprived  one  of  their  bullocks 


. 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE  TARTARY.  169 

or  sheep  of  existence,  either  by  accident  or  old  age,  Tartar 
economy  forbids  their  wasting  the  carcass,  and  it  is  eagerly 
devoured  by  them.  Some  of  the  ancient  rams  I  saw  would 
require  a  deal  of  mastication  and  powerful  digestive  organs 
when  summoned  to  their  forefathers  and  committed  to  a 
Tartar's  jaws. 

I  cannot  say  that  the  hill  people  thrive  on  the  diet,  for  in 
appearance  they  are  a  miserable-looking,  stunted  race,  very 
filthy  in  their  habits,  seldom  changing  their  coarse  woollen 
clothing,  and  entertaining  a  religious  horror  of  cold  water. 
They  have  no  objection  to  the  good  things  brought  from  the 
other  side  of  the  snow,  and  I  have  seen  them  devour  salt  beef 
and  pork  with  great  gusto.  But  what  they  most  delight  in, 
when  they  can  get  it,  is  English  brandy  and  tobacco.  The 
former  they  will  drink  in  great  quantities,  and  for  men  un- 
accustomed to  liquor  it  is  astonishing  how  well  they  resist 
its  intoxicating  properties.  I  saw  one  man  a  "  Siana,"  the 
head  of  a  village,  drink  off  two  bottles  of  pure  brandy,  with- 
out apparently  feeling  any  ill  effects  from  the  potation.  On 
questioning  him  about  his  sensations,  he  said  that  the  only 
difference  he  found  between  the  brandy  and  the  water  was, 
that  it  made  his  inside  comfortably  warm,  and  his  tongue  very 
slippery,  of  which  he  gave  us  proof  by  chattering  and  singing 
in  a  most  uncouth  way.  Of  all  the  horrible  noises  I  ever 
heard,  those  which  a  half-drunken  Tartar  makes  are  the  most 
discordant.  The  deep  nasal  and  guttural  noises  he  emits 
would  beat  Welsh  and  Gaelic  by  a  long  chalk. 

Although  petty  thefts  are  common  among  the  Thibetans, 
valuable  articles  may  with  safety  be  left  among  them — even 
money  they  will  not  touch.  Many  an  hour  have  I  whiled 
away  among  them  watching  Jye  Sing  and  Buctoo  showing 
them  many  articles  of  my  property,  the  use  or  value  of  which 
they  could  not  comprehend.  Of  my  guns  and  rifles  in  par- 
ticular, they  stood  in  great  awe,  and  for  a  long  time  none  of 
them  could  be  induced  to  touch  one.  Our  telescopes  also 

15 


170 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


JYE  SING. 

caused  great  terror,  and  many  were  the  learned  arguments 
they  had  as  to  what  possibly  could  be  the  use  of  the  latter. 
I  invariably  carried  a  favorite  Dolland  across  my  shoulder, 
and  Buctoo  was  provided  with  a  similar  instrument,  of  which 
he  was  proud,  and  in  the  use  of  which  he  became  expert. 
One  day,  after  a  good  day's  sport,  we  had  all  sat  down  near 
a  beautiful  spring,  and  I  was  enjoying  a  luncheon,  when  I 
found  Buctoo  had  collected  some  fifty  Tartars  about  him,  who 
sat  in  a  circle,  listening  to  his  explanation  of  the  use  of  his 
telescope.  None  of  his  hearers  could  for  some  time  be  in- 
duced to  touch  it ;  they  were  afraid  of  its  either  exploding  or 
metamorphosing  them  into  wild  sheep. 

The  large  village  of  Tchong  Si  was  about  four  miles  below 
our  bivouac,  and  several  of  the  head  men  of  the  village  had 
come  up  to  have  a  look  at  us.  The  village  was  just  discernible 
to  the  naked  eye,  and  Buctoo  politely  inquired  of  one  of  the 
chiefs,  if  he  would  like  to  be  informed  what  was  going  on  in 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE   TARTARY.  171 


TARTARS. 

the  village  below !  The  chief  told  him  he  should,  when  Buctoo 
drew  out  the  glass,  on  which  all  the  Tartars  moved  off  to  a 
very  respectable  distance.  After  looking  at  the  village,  he 
described  certain  parts  of  it  so  correctly  that  they  were  asto- 
nished. (I  must  here  mention  that  neither  myself  nor  any 
of  my  servants  had  been  allowed  to  enter  the  village.)  The 
Tartars  at  first  could  hardly  credit  it ;  but  after  sundry  ques- 
tions as  to  the  description  of  houses  on  the  northern  side,  and 
again  on  the  southern,  which  Buctoo,  on  carefully  examining, 
correctly  described,  they  became  sadly  perplexed.  Buctoo 
once  more  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  take  a  look  them- 
selves, and,  after  much  coaxing  and  a  little  brandy,  one  of 
the  head  men  was  induced  to  take  the  telescope  into  his  hand. 
The  figure  he  cut  on  doing  so,  I  shall  not  easily  forget. 
He  held  it  out  at  arm's  length,  grinned  at  it  most  horribly, 
and  chattered  some  abominable  gibberish  in  Tartaree,  that  no 


172  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

one  understood,  appearing  to  expect  every  moment  that  the 
glass  would  bite  him.  After  some  minutes  spent  in  this  way, 
he  drew  it  near  to  him,  and  by  degrees  became  more  confident. 
Buctoo  then  approached  him  and  set  it,  telling  him  to  look 
through  it.  He  appeared  very  suspicious  about  this  move- 
ment, evidently  fancying  the  glass  was  going  to  explode.  At 
length  he  threw  it  down,  for  which  Buctoo  boxed  his  ears. 
He  then  took  it  up  again,  and  it  was  brought  to  bear  on  the 
village.  But  the  Tartar  did  us  again  ;  for  he-  shut  both  his 
eyes.  However,  after  a  good  deal  of  persuasion,  he  was  in- 
duced to  open  one  and  shut  the  other,  and  to  peep  through 
the  glass.  For  a  second  or  two  he  trembled  violently,  then 
groaned  heavily — threw  down  the  glass,  and  commenced 
rolling  down  the  hill,  head  over  heels,  at  a  most  awful  pace. 
The  whole  batch,  some  forty,  were  seized  with  the  same  com- 
plaint, and  down  they  went  after  their  chief,  roaring  out, 
"  Hi !  ha !"  at  the  top  of  their  voices.  Break  their  necks 
they  could  not  very  easily ;  but  how  many  of  them  escaped 
serious  injury  I  did  not  stop  to  ascertain.  Upon  seeing  them 
all  off,  I  fell  down  heavily,  fracturing  my  sides  with  laughter. 
Buctoo  was  in  the  same  state,  and  so  were  all  my  servants. 
We  at  last  saw  them,  on  reaching  a  piece  of  level  ground, 
get  on  their  legs,  the  chief  still  leading,  and  bolting  for  the 
village,  at  a  pace  nothing  would  warrant  but  a  tin  kettle  at 
their  heels.  In  about  ten  minutes  we  heard  the  gongs  and 
bells  beating  and  tolling  at  a  great  pace,  with  frightful  shout- 
ing from  men  and  women,  and  this  lasted  for  two  hours, 
when  all  became  quiet. 

Not  a  Tartar  could  we  get  hold  of  for  two  days  after  this. 
At  last,  by  sending  a  small  party  near  the  village,  several 
men  showed  themselves,  offering  us  any  thing  we  wanted,  if 
we  would  only  return  to  the  other  side  of  the  snow.  This 
they  were  told  we  would  do,  if  they  would  only  show  us  three 
or  four  days'  more  good  sport ;  but  if  not,  we  would  remain 
there  six  months,  and  turn  them  all  into  wild  sheep.  Upon 


HUNTING  IN  CHINESE  TARTARY.  173 


BUCTOO. 

this,  they  had  a  consultation,  when  it  was  decided  that  they 
would  show  excellent  sport  provided  we  would  take  our  depar- 
ture in  four  days,  and  never  come  there  again.  This  was  duly 
agreed  to,  and  after  some  very  cautious  approaches  we  got 
them  once  more  up  to  our  tents.  They  certainly  kept  their 
promise,  for  I  had  excellent  sport,  and  was  therefore  bound 
to  fulfil  my  part  of  the  agreement. 

On  the  fourth  day  arriving,  they  were  invited  to  come  once 
more  to  the  tent,  and  to  receive  a  few  trifling  rewards  for  the 
sport  they  had  shown.  Brandy  was  first  served  out,  and  this 
soon  restored  confidence  among  us,  when  the  distribution  of 
a  few  knives,  looking-glasses,  beads,  &c.  &c.,  and  sundry 
pieces  of  red  cloth,  brought  them  into  good  humor.  Every 
thing  was  going  on  as  well  as  could  be  desired,  when  some 
unfortunate  dispute  arose  among  some  of  my  guides  (not  my 
own  servants,  but  men  taken  from  the  last  village  on  our  side  of 
the  snow)  and  Tartars.  They  knew  each  other  well,  having,  at 

15* 


174  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

a  large  fair  held  at  the  foot  of  the  pass,  a  year's  intercourse. 
These  men,  I  have  no  doubt,  assisted  by  one  of  my  own  men, 
(and  I  strongly  suspected  Buctoo,  although  he  most  solemnly 
denied  doing  it,)  played  them  a  sad  trick.  I  may  here  note 
that  almost  every  Tartar  carries  a  pipe,  rudely  made  of 
wrought-iron,  of  about  the  size  and  shape  of  a  common  clay 
pipe.  Being  inveterate  smokers,  a  pipe  full  of  good  tobacco 
is  one  of  the  most  convincing  arguments  you  can  employ. 
While  I  was  at  dinner,  I  ordered  some  tobacco  to  be  given  to 
them,  and  it  was  proposed  they  should  put  that  in  their 
pouches,  and  allow  some  of  my  fellows  to  charge  their  pipes 
with  their  own  tobacco,  of  which  they  begged  their  acceptance. 
The  Tartars,  nothing  loth,  assented,  and  each  man  gave 
his  iron  pipe  to  be  charged,  which  was  duly  done,  and  returned 
to  each  owner.  Smoking  then  commenced,  and,  on  finishing 
my  dinner  and  coming  outside  the  tent,  I  found  the  Tartars 
all  in  a  circle,  smoking  away,  and  my  men,  some  ten  yards 
from  them,  and  above  them,  and  talking  to  them.  They  were 
also  smoking.  Thinking  nothing  of  this  at  the  time,  I  took 
no  notice,  and  had  my  chair  brought  outside,  and  smoked  my 
cigar.  In  less  than  five  minutes  I  was  considerably  astonished 
on  hearing  a  salvo  as  of  a  volley  of  musketry,  and  iron  pipes 
flying  up  and  down  in  all  directions.  Then  a  general  shout, 
and  off  went  the  Tartars,  as  if  Old  Nick  was  at  their  heels, 
hallooing  most  fearfully.  They,  however,  this  time  did  not 
run  far ;  they  brought  up  about  three  hundred  yards  from 
where  they  had  started,  demanding  only  their  pipes  back.  I 
went  up  to  them,  asking  what  was  the  matter ;  and  after  a 
short  time  they  said  nothing  farther  than  that  they  would  take 
precious  good  care  never  to  smoke  English  tobacco  again,  for 
it  was  too  strong  for  them.  We  smoked  with  tobacco,  and  shot 
with  tobacco,  and  Shcitzan  must  have  been  the  maufacturer. 


KANGAROOING  in  Tasman's  Peninsula  is  essentially  a  pe- 
destrian sport.  I  am  aware  that  in  an  open  country,  and 
especially  in  New  South  Wales,  where  the  chase  is  followed 
on  horseback,  my  assertion  may  seem  like  rank  heresy. 

I  have  pursued  the  sport  both  mounted  and  on  foot,  and  if 
a  horse  enables  you  occasionally,  on  comparatively  unencum- 
bered ground,  to  see  something  more  of  the  run,  you  must 
still  have  pedestrians  to  hunt  the  dogs.  After  all,  decide 
this  point  as  you  will,  we  esteem  it  the  poorest  variety  of  the 
chase.  Some  excitement  must  necessarily  attend  it,  but  too 
much  is  left  to  the  imagination,  and  too  little  of  either  the 
game  or  the  dogs  is  given  to  the  eye. 

It  is  rarely,  except  when  on  horseback,  that  one  has  the 
good  fortune  to  be  in  at  the  death,  or  to  see  the  kangaroo 
pulled  down. 

(177) 


178  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

The  ground  is  usually  hilly,  the  scrub  thick,  and  the  grass 
high.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  on  the  present  occasion  we 
were  all  on  foot.  Forestier's  Peninsula  is  no  place  for  a  horse 
except  the  traveller  be  jogging  along  the  rugged  and  little 
unfrequented  track  which  leads  to  Hobart  Town,  by  a  most 
circuitous  route. 

Away  then  we  strode,  skirting  the  shore  pretty  closely,  until 
we  came  to  a  valley  which  had  been  partially  cleared  by  one 
of  those  extensive  bush  conflagrations  which  are  of  annual 
occurence. 

The  forest  is  fired  in  several  places  every  summer,  with  a 
view  to  keeping  down  the  scrub,  and  giving  a  chance  of  growth 
to  the  grass  and  the  larger  forest  trees.  These  fires  burn  for 
several  consecutive  days,  and  at  night  the  glare  from  them, 
lighting  up  the  adjacent  horizon,  and  the  wind  at  one  time 
whirling  along  vast  clouds  of  smoke,  and  again  throwing  up 
sheets  of  flame  and  myriads  of  burning  particles,  produce  an 
effect  as  grand  as  can  be  imagined.  Here,  then,  in  the  glade, 
we  paused,  disposed  ourselves  in  an  extended  line,  slipped  four 
dogs,  and  gave  the  word,  "go  seek." 

Away  they  trotted  with-  nose  to  the  ground,  cautiously 
hunting,  crossing  and  recrossing,  but  occasionally  getting  not 
only  out  of  sight  in  the  long  grass,  but  out  of  hearing  and  com- 
mand. Presently  a  sharp  bark  gave  the  signal  of  game 
started,  and  the  next  moment  we  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  kan- 
garoo in  mid  air,  as  he  bounds  down  the  declivity  in  a  suces- 
sion  of  leaps  such  as  the  kangaroo  only  can  accomplish. 

There  he  goes,  his  tiny  ears  laid  back  on  his  small  deer-like 
head,  his  forefeet  gathered  up  like  a  penguin's  flappers,  and 
his  long  stout  tail  erect  in  the  air !  Now  bounding  aloft,  now 
vanishing  as  he  plunges  into  the  waving  grass. 

Two  more  of  the  dogs  have  sighted  him,  and'  are  silently 
tearing  along  on  his  track.  Every  bound  increases  his  dis- 
tance from  his  pursuers,  he  winds  round  the  base  of  the  hill, 
to  avoid  the  ascent,  but  up  he  must  go  ;  this  is  the  only  chance 


KILLING  A  KANGAROO. 


KANGAROO  HUNTING.  181 

for  the  dogs,  for  running  up  hill  is  the  kangaroo's  weak  point. 
But  now  we  lose  sight  of  both  dogs  and  kangaroo  ;  a  burst 
of  three. minutes  has  sufficed  to  exhaust  our  first  wind,  and  to 
break  one  of  our  shins  ;  for,  tearing  through  grass  as  high  as 
one's  middle  and  tumbling  over  charred  stumps  and  fallen 
trees,  soon  reduces  one  to  the  "  dead-beat"  predicament.  Jerry, 
alone,  thanks  to  his  hard  condition,  follows  the  chase,  longo 
inter  vallo. 

All  the  party  are  now  scattered,  and  after  a  while  re-assem- 
ble by  dint  of  continuous  "  cooees."  Whilst  swabbing  the  per- 
spiration off  our  brow,  one  of  the  dogs  makes  his  appearance, 
and,  trotting  slowly  back  with  panting  flanks  and  lolling 
tongue,  throws  himself  on  his  side  exhausted.  His  mouth  is 
now  carefully  examined,  and  two  fingers  being  inserted,  scoop 
round  the  fauces.  The  test  is  successful ;  there  are  traces  of 
blood  and  fluff.  "  Bravo,  Rattler !  Show  him — good  dog.  Show 
him  !"  Battler  rises  with  an  effort,  and  lazily  strikes  into 
the  bush,  to  the  right.  We  follow  in  Indian  file,  and  at  about 
half  a  mile  distant  we  come  upon  the  kangaroo  lying  dead, 
with  the  second  dog,  old  "  Ugly,"  stretched  at  his  side. 

The  kangaroo  usually  found  in  the  Peninsula  is  not  the 
largest  description  commonly  known  in  these  colonies  as  the 
"  boomer"  or  "  forester,"  but  the  brush  kangaroo,  which  rarely 
exceeds  seventy  pounds  in  weight ;  forty  is  more  common. 
There  is  a  still  smaller  variety  known  as  the  "  wallaby."  The 
brush  kangaroo  is  easily  killed  by  the  dogs  :  A  grip  in  the 
throat  or  loins  usually  suffices.  The  boomer  is  a  more  awkward 
customer,  and,  if  he  can  take  the  water,  he  shows  fight,  and, 
availing  himself  of  his  superior  height,  he  endeavors  to  drown 
the  dogs  as  they  approach  him.  The  kangaroo  is  a  graceful 
animal,  but  appears  to  most  advantage  when  only  the  upper 
part  of  the  body  is  seen.  His  head  is  small  and  deer-shaped, 
his  eyes  soft  and  lustrous,  but  his  tapering  superior  extrem- 
ities rise  almost  pyramidally  from  a  heavy  and  disproportioned 
base  of  hind  legs  and  tail. 

16 


182  THKILLING  ADVENTURES 

The  kangaroo  dog  never  mangles  his  prey,  although  fond 
of  the  blood,  with  a  portion  of  which  he  is  always  rewarded. 

Jerry  now  threw  himself  on  the  ground  beside  the  game, 
and,  drawing  his  couteau  de  chasse,  commenced  the  operation 
of  disembowelling.  After  ripping  up  the  belly,  he  thrusts  in 
his  arm,  and  drawing  out  the  liver  and  a  handful  of  coagulated 
blood,  he  invited  the  dogs  to  partake  of  it.  The  carcass 
being  gutted,  some  dry  fern  is  thrust  in,  the  tail  is  drawn 
through  the  fore  legs,  and  secured  with  a  bit  of  whipcord,  and 
then  the  game  is  suspended  over  the  shoulder — no  insignificant 
weight  either.  If  the  kangaroo  be  very  heavy,  the  hind  quarters 
only  are  carried,  but  the  skin  being  of  some  value,  it  is  not 
needlessly  destroyed. 

There  is  a  peculiarity  in  the  stomach  of  the  kangaroo, 
which  I  have  have  not  seen  noticed  in  description  of  that 
animal,  but  of  which  I  have  assured  myself  by  frequent  per- 
sonal observation.  On  opening  the  stomach,  even  while  still 
warm,  the  grass  found  in  it  is  swarming  with  small  white 
worms,  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  not  thicker 
than  a  fine  thread. 

The  entire  contents  of  the  stomach  even  the  most  recently 
masticated  grass,  (and  grass  seems  to  be  its  only  food,)  are 
equally  pervaded  with  these  worms,  which  swarm  in  myriads, 
even  where  no  signs  of  decomposition  are  perceptible. 

Resuming  our  progress  we  presently  heard  a  baying  from 
the  dogs,  who  had  again  disappeared  to  hunt.  On  nearing 
the  spot  whence  the  noise  proceeded,  we  found  them  assembled 
round  the  trunk  of  a  large  tree,  in  the  hollow  of  which  was  a 
large  wombat,  a  most  unsightly  brute,  in  appearance  partaking 
somewhat  of  the  bear,  the  pig,  and  the  badger.  An  average 
sized  one  will  weigh  sixty  pounds.  The  head  is  flat,  neck  thick, 
body  large,  legs  short,  eyes  and  ears  small ;  the  feet  provided 
with  sharp  claws  for  burrowing,  three  on  the  hind  foot,  and 
an  additional  one  on  the  fore  foot.  They  make  deep  excava- 
tions in  the  ground,  and  live  chiefly  on  roots.  The  hide  is 


KANGAROO  HUNTING.  185 


A  WOMBAT. 

very  tough  and  covered  with  a  coarse  wiry  hair,  and  with  this 
defensive  armor,  and  his  formidable  teeth  and  claws,  the 
wombat  is  a  customer  not  much  relished  by  the  dogs.  It  was 
not  till  we  had  stunned  our  new  acquaintance,  as  he  stood  at 
bay  in  his  den,  by  repeated  blows  of  our  sticks  on  his  head, 
that  we  were  able  to  drag  him  out,  and  cut  his  throat.  The  flesh 
is  eatable,  and  I  have  heard  that  the  hams  are  held  in  some 
esteem,  but  I  cannot  speak  from  personal  experience.  On 
the  present  occasion  none  of  our  party  was  ambitious  of  the 
honor  of  carrying  our  defunct  friend  during  the  day's  march 
that  we  had  before  us  ;  so  I  contented  myself  with  pocketing 
his  four  paws,  and  leaving  the  rest  of  the  carcass  for  formic 
epicures. 

Our  destination  for  the  evening  was  Eagle  Hawk  Neck,  or 
rather  our  dining  quarters  were  there  fixed,  for  I  proposed  to 
be  home  some  time  during  the  night ;  and,  as  we  had  some 
twelve  miles  of  fatiguing  walking  before  us,  we  now  circled 
round  towards  Flinder's  Bay  whence  we  were  to  follow  the  foot 
track  to  the  "Neck." 

It  may  readily  be  imagined  that  brush  travelling  in  the 
Australian  colonies  is  often  an  intricate  affair ;  long  practice 
alone  can  give  one  assurance  and  confidence.  Few  habitues 
in  the  Peninsula  think  of  entering  it  without  a  pocket  compass, 
flint,  and  steel ;  and  even  the  best  bushmen  have  in  their  day 
been  reduced  to  the  greatest  extremities. 

For  our  ambition  part,  never  inclined  to  the  adventurous  task 
of  exploring  the  bush,  content  with  the  subordinate  part  of 
trusting  to  the  superior  sagacity  of  the  more  experienced ; 

16* 


186  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

and  often  have  our  wonder  and  admiration  been  excited  by 
the  unerring  judgment  of  our  guide,  when  there  was  neither 
sun  to  direct,  nor  any  opening  above  or  around  whereby  to 
obtain  a  view  of  the  surrounding  country. 

As  we  were  approaching  Flinder's  Bay,  on  our  return,  a 
kangaroo  was  started  some  distance  ahead  of  us ;  presently 
I  observed  an  old  dog,  who  was  wont  to  "run  cunning,"  sud- 
denly stop  close  in  front  of  me.  The  next  moment  the  game, 
closely  pursued,  dropped  in  a  bound,  not  six  yards  from  the 
spot  where  I  stood,  and  before  he  could  rise  again,  old  "  Ugly" 
had  his  prize  by  the  throat.  This  proved  to  be  a  doe,  and  on 
examining  her  pouch  a  foetus  was  found  in  it,  perfectly  de- 
tached as  usual,  and  about  three  inches  and  a  half  long.  The 
generation,  growth,  and  alimentation  of  the  foetus  of  the  kan- 
garoo and  other  marsuipial  animals  (ultra  interine  and  detached 
from  the  parent,  as  it  appears  to  be  at  all  stages,)  is  a  mystery 
in  physiology  which  has  yet  to  be  unravelled. 

A  "  medico"  who  was  of  our  party,  did  not  neglect  this 
opportunity  for  research.  With  a  view  to  the  investigation 
of  the  subject  at  leisure,  he  dropped  the  foetus  into  hj^  glove 
for  conveyance  home. 

Outside  the  station  of  Flin^er's  Bay,  we  came  upon  a  small 
limpid  stream,  brawling  over  a  rocky  bed,  which  seemed  a  suit- 
able place  to  refresh  the  inner  man  with  a  sandwich,  and  a 
thimbleful  of  Cognac.  Cigars  were  then  lighted,  and  shoul- 
dering our  game,  we  resumed  our  route. 

The  sun  was  low,  when  we  descended  the  steep  hill  whence 
we  opened  a  view  of  Eagle  Hawk  Neck  and  the  Pacific,  after 
a  long  and  toilsome  ascent  "the  Saddle,"  by  a  path  which 
abounded  more  in  loose  sharp  stones  than  any  which  it  has  been 
my  misfortune  to  fall  in  with.  However,  refreshment  was  at 
hand,  which  we  were  quite  in  condition  to  appreciate,  for  we 
will  back  a  day's  kangarooing  against  any  other  sport,  for 
giving  a  zest  both  to  victuals  and  drink. 

Our  host,  C ,  was  famous  for  his  kangaroo  soup ;  this 


HUNTING  THE  KANGAROO.  189 

is  made  of  the  tail  of  the  animal,  and  when  well  prepared  may 
vie  with  an  ox  tail,  if,  indeed,  it  be  not  superior,  having  the 
advantage  of  a  game  flavor.  The  flesh  of  the  kangaroo  re- 
sembles in  taste  and  appearance  that  of  the  hare  though  drier 
and  inferior  in  flavor  when  roasted.  The  only  part  thus  cooked 
is  the  hind  quarter,  which  should  be  boned,  stuffed,  and  larded, 
and  after  all,  le  jeu  ne  vaut pas  la  chandelle.  Not  so  "kan- 
garoo steamer."  To  prepare  this  savory  dish,  portions  of  the 
hind  quarters,  after  hanging  for  a  week,  should  be  cut  into  small 
cubical  pieces  ;  about  a  third  proportion  of  the  fat  of  bacon 
should  be  similarly  prepared,  and  these,  together  with  salt, 
pepper,  and  some  spice,  must  simmer  gently  in  a  stew-pan 
for  three  or  four  hours.  Now  water  must  enter  into  the  com- 
position, but  a  little  mushroom  ketchup  added,  when  served, 
is  an  improvement. 

Although  averse  to  the  diet  of  brush  vermin,  so  often  ex- 
tolled, in  these  colonies,  and  although  carefully  eschewing  all 
parrot  pies,  red-bill  ragouts,  black  swans,  kangaroo  rats,  por- 
cupines, and  such  vaunted  nastiness,  we  strongly  contend  for 
the  excellence  of  "  kangaroo  steamer,"  as  savory  and  appe- 
tizing dish.  We  cannot  reproach  it  with  a  fault,  save  its 
tendency  to  lead  one  to  excess ;  the  only  difficulty  is  to  know 
when  you  have  had  enough. 

We  were  able  to  do  ample  justice  to  the  good  cheer  provided 

by  C ,  who,  although  the  Alexander  Selkirk  of  his  post, 

reigning  in  solitary  grandeur,  for  he  had  not  a  single  associate 
within  ten  mile,  could  always  boast  of  a  well  stocked-larder 
and  cellar.  What  with  his  garden,  poultry-yard,  and  dairy, 
hunting  and  sea-fishing,  he  was  tolerably  independent  of  the 
ter- weekly  visits  of  the  boat  which  brought  the  commissariat 
supplies. 


&/'< 

:c^iv^3#tow 

;Viv^m^^.'^- 


i     ty  §oi|li)eh] 


WE  are  indebted  for  the  following  narrative  of  hunting  ex- 
ploits to  Captain  William  Cornwallis  Harris's  "  Wild  Sports 
of  Southern  Africa,"  comprising  a  hunting  expedition  from 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  through  the  territories  of  the  chief 
Moselekatse  to  the  tropic  of  Capricorn.  Our  extract  includes 
the  passage  from  Chooi  to  the  Mimori  river.  Captain  Harris 
was  accompanied  by  Mr.  Richardson  and  a  retinue  of  Hot- 
tentots, with  a  train  of  wagons  and  an  abundant  supply  of 
ammunition. 
(190) 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA. 


193 


GRIQUAS. 

"  The  true  zebra  is  exclusively  confined  to  mountainous 
regions,  from  which  it  rarely  if  ever  descends ;  but  the  exten- 
sive plains  of  Southern  Africa  abound  with  two  distinct  spe- 
cies of  the  same  genus,  the  quagga  and  the  striped  quagga, 
or  Burchell's  zebra.  These  differ  little  from  each  other  in  point 
of  shape  or  size,  both  having  the  tail  and  ears  of  the  horse, 
whilst  the  zebra  has  those  of  the  ass.  Of  a  pale  red  color, 
the  quagga  is  faintly  striped  only  on  the  head  and  neck — 
but  Burchell's  zebra  is  adorned  over  every  part  of  the  body 
with  broad  black  bands,  which  beautifully  contrast  with  a  pale 
yellow  ground.  The  gnoo  and  the  common  quagga  delighting 
in  the  same  situations,  not  unfrequently  herding  together — 
but  I  have  seldom  seen  Burchell's  zebra  unaccompanied  by  a 
troop  of  brindled  gnoo, — an  animal  differing  materially  from 
its  brother  of  the  same  genus,  from  which,  though  scarcely 

17 


194  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

less  ungainly,  it  is  readily  distinguishable  at  a  greater  dis- 
tance by  its  black  mane  and  tail,  more  elevated  withers,  and 
clumsier  action. 

"  We  were  preparing  to  leave  Chooi,  when  a  party  of  Gri- 
quas  arrived  with  three  wagons.  They  had  been  hunting 
giraffe  on  the  Molopo,  and  having  expended  their  ammuni- 
tion, were  returning  to  Daniel's  Kuil  with  the  spoils.  Their 
horses  and  oxen  were  perfect  skeletons,  and  their  wagons 
literally  tumbling  to  pieces.  Tireless  wheels  were  lashed  to- 
gether with  strips  of  raw  hide,  and  festoons  of  dried  meat 
termed  "Biltong,"  occupied  the  place  of  the  awning ;  whilst 
a  number  of  filthy  women  and  children  were  stowed  away 
with  an  odoriferous  melange  of  garbage  and  fat.  These 
people  had  approached  to  the  western  limit  of  Moselekatse's 
territory  without  molestation, — a  circumstance  which  seemed 
to  inspire  our  timid  followers  with  confidence.  Large  par- 
ties are  annually  formed  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  the  came- 
leopard  and  eland — the  flesh  of  these  animals  being  held  in 
great  estimation,  and  their  skins  applied  to  the  manufacture 
of  shoes  and  a  variety  of  other  uses.  We  would  gladly  have 
purchased  some  of  the  miserable  horses,  but  the  owners  de- 
clined receiving  any  thing  in  exchange  but  gunpowder,  which 
we  could  not  have  given  without  incurring  the  risk  of  twelve 
months'  imprisonment  on  our  return  to  the  Colony,  although 
a  single  pound  would  have  given  us  the  choice  of  the  stud. 

"  After  crossing  the  Saltpan,  we  passed  a  long  line  of  pit- 
falls used  for  entrapping  game.  Upwards  of  sixty  of  these 
were  dug  close  together  in  a  treble  line  ;  a  high  thorn  fence 
extending  in  the  form  of  a  crescent  a  mile  on  either  side,  in 
such  a  manner  that  gnoos,  quaggas,  and  other  animals  may 
easily  be  driven  into  them.  They  are  carefully  concealed 
with  grass,  and  their  circumscribed  dimensions  render  escape 
almost  impossible.  Heaps  of  whitened  bones  bore  ample 
testimony  to  the  destruction  they  had  occasioned. 

i  We  now  entered  upon  the  Chooi  Desert,  an  extensive 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA. 


195 


QUAGGA. 

flat,  denuded  of  trees — broken  occasionally  by  low  ridges, 
but  still  remarkable  for  its  scorched  and  sterile  uniformity. 
After  travelling  twenty  miles  across  this  "  region  of  empti- 
ness, howling  and  drear,"  we  reached  Loharon,  at  which  there 
was  a  prospect  of  obtaining  water,  but  unfortunately  the  only 
tank  in  the  country  was  exhausted.  The  small  supply  that 
we  had  brought  in  the  wagons  was  barely  drinkable  in  the 
coffee  ;  but  our  sufferings  were  nothing  compared  with  those 
of  the  unhappy  oxen,  which  although  tried  to  death  with  the 
sultry  march,  ran  frantically  in  quest  of  some  pool  where 
they  might  slake  their  thirst — making  the  air  resound  with 
their  mournful  lowings.  During  the  night,  the  hyenas,  at- 
tracted by  the  smell  of  our  mutton,  actually  devoured  a 
spring-buck  within  the  limits  of  our  camp. 

"  As  we  advanced,  the  game  became  hourly  more  abundant, 
although  still   exceedingly   wild.      Groups   of  liartebeests, 


196  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

quggas,  and  brindled  gnoos,  were  every  where  to  be  seen — 
the  sleek  variegated  coats  of  the  two  former  species  sparkling 
in  the  rays  of  the  sun ;  and  the  fierce  little  eyes  of  the  latter 
glistening  like  fire  beneath  their  shaggy  forelocks.  A  short 
chase  was  sufficient  to  seal  the  fate  of  three  quaggas — all 
males,  averaging  thirteen  hands  high.  During  the  run  I  had 
not  seen  a  human  being,  and  fancied  myself  alone ;  but  I 
had  scarcely  dismounted  to  secure  my  game,  when  a  woolly 
head  protruded  inself  from  every  bush,  and  in  an  instant  I 
was  surrounded  by  thirty  Barolongs,  who  having  by  signs 
expressed  their  approbation  of  my  performance,  proceeded  to 
devour  the  carcass  with  the  greatest  avidity — greedily  drink- 
ing the  blood,  rubbing  the  fat  upon  their  bodies,  and  not 
leaving  so  much  even  as  the  entrails  for  the  birds  of  prey. 

"  Our  unfortunate  cattle  had  now  tasted  no  water  for  six- 
and  thirty  hours,  and  we  resolved  to  travel  day  and  night  in 
search  of  this  necessary  of  life.  The  sun  at  length  departed, 
darkness  overtook  us,  and  no  moon  succeeded  to  guide  our 
course ;  when,  by  a  singular  instinct,  the  two  horses  we  had 
obtained  from  Captain  Sutton,  and  which  were  consequently 
acquainted  with  the  road,  suddenly  separated  themselves  from 
us,  and  galloped  off.  Following  them  up,  the  scream  of 
water-fowl  sounded  like  music  in  our  ears,  and  we  had  the 
gratification  of  perceiving  a  pond  of  mephitic  water  a  little 
to  the  right  of  the  road.  Both  man  and  beast  appeared 
simultaneously  apprised  of  the  cheering  discovery — water 
was  the  universal  cry — the  Hottentots  rushed  to  the  edge  of 
the  pond,  and  throwing  themselves  on  their  faces,  swallowed 
large  quantities — indifferent  to  the  crowd  of  horses,  oxen, 
and  sheep,  which  followed  close  upon  their  heels.  The  oxen 
in  the  wagons  were  with  difficulty  restrained  until  the  yokes 
had  been  removed,  when  impatient  of  their  burning  thirst, 
they  also  rushed  headlong  into  the  now  muddy  pool. 

"  An  accident  deprived  us  of  the  handsome  dog  that  we 
had  obtained  from  Brother  Mark  Graaff,  the  itinerant  tutor ; 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA.  197 

no  bush  presenting  itself  which  could  shelter  him  for  a  mo- 
ment during  the  long  march,  from  the  scorching  rays  of  a 
vertical  sun,  he  had  sought  an  asylum  beneath  the  wagon, 
the  wheels  of  which  passed  over  his  body.  For  many  days 
past  the  feet  of  our  canine  companions  had  suffered  greatly 
from  their  contact  with  the  heated  earth ;  and,  in  some  in- 
stances, had  become  perfectly  raw.  Ever  and  anon  the  un- 
fortunate animals  would  voluntarily  present  a  paw,  and,  with 
a  supplicating  whine,  solicit  another  dressing  of  the  tar  and 
fat  composition  used  for  greasing  the  axletrees — from  the 
application  of  which  they  experienced  temporary  relief. 

"  In  order  to  recruit  the  exhausted  strength  of  the  oxen, 
we  halted  a  day  at  Great  Chooi,  another  extensive  salt-lake, 
which  we  reached  early  the  following  morning.  No  pen  can 
describe  the  scene  that  here  took  place.  The  Hottentots, 
having  first  mutinied  against  Richardson,  deputed  Andries — 
who  advanced  to  me  with  a  step  of  defiance — to  acquaint  me 
with  their  determination  not  to  obey  his  orders  :  the  contracts 
at  Graaff  Reinet  having,  to  save  trouble,  been  made  in  my 
name  only.  The  discussion  having  been  suppressed  by  me, 
led  to  a  disagreement  among  themselves ;  they  fought  with 
inconceivable  fury  for  half  an  hour,  and  were  with  difficulty 
prevented  from  murdering  each  other.  With  blood  streaming 
from  many  a  ghastly  wound,  they  at  length  retired  to  ablute 
themselves,  and  returned  better  friends  than  ever.  The  en- 
gagement had  been  witnessed  by  a  party  of  savages,  who 
carried  umbrellas  of  ostrich  feathers,  twisted  round  a  long 
stick  so  as  to  resemble  the  nodding  plumes  of  a  hearse.  In 
honor  of  their  own  courageous  bearing,  the  Hottentots  pur- 
chased a  number  of  these  for  a  small  piece  of  tobacco,  and 
binding  them  round  their  hats,  strutted  forth  knights  of  the 
sable  plume. 

"  The  scattered  inhabitants  of  this  part  of  the  country  are 
remnants  of  various  Bechuana  tribes,  which  have  been  con- 
quered by  Moselekatse — and  consist  principally  of  Barolong, 

17* 


198  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

Wangkets,  Batlapi,  and  Baharootzi.  These  poor  wretches 
live  in  small  communities,  and,  being  destitute  of  cattle,  de- 
pend entirely  for  subsistence  on  locusts,  or  such  game  as 
chance  may  direct  to  their  pitfalls.  Crowds  of  them,  attracted 
by  prey,  now  hovered  round  me  in  my  hunting  expeditions, 
which  were  here  particularly  successful ;  and  having  obtained 
a  plentiful  supply  of  meat,  with  the  luxuries  of  snuff  and  to- 
bacco, for  which  they  were  constantly  begging,  under  the 
denominations  of  lishuena  and  muchoko,  they  composed  them- 
selves to  sleep,  appearing  to  be  in  the  enjoyment  of  as  much 
happiness  as  man  in  a  state  of  mere  animal  existence  proba- 
bly ever  attains.  Our  little  band  was  also  instinctively  at- 
tended by  a  host  of  hungry  vultures,  who,  little  disturbed  by 
the  presence  of  man,  divided  the  office  of  carrion  scavengers 
with  hyenas  and  jackals.  Wheeling  in  circles  high  above 
our  heads,  like  small  specks  in  the  firmament,  these  vora- 
cious birds  were  ever  ready  to  pounce  upon  game  that  might 
be  shot,  or  upon  the  carcasses  of  oxen  that  perished  on  the 
road — devouring  the  largest  bodies  with  a  promptitude  truly 
surprising. 

"  We  had  now  crossed  the  unvaried  level  expanse  of  the 
Chooi  Desert,  and  were  entering  upon  a  country,  which 
though  equally  remarkable  for  its  sameness  of  appearance 
presented  a  different  character.  Immense  sandy  flats,  with 
a  substratum  of  lime,  were  uniformly  covered  with  mokaala 
trees,  low  thorn  bushes,  and  long  grass,  interspersed  with 
numerous  dry  tanks ;  but  no  hill  or  conspicuous  object  that 
could  direct  the  footsteps  of  the  wanderer.  Before  reaching 
the  Siklagole  river,  twenty-two  miles,  we  passed  many  exten- 
sive villages  totally  deserted ;  rude  earthen  vessels,  fragments 
of  ostrich  egg-shells,  and  portions  of  the  skins  of  wild  ani- 
mals, however,  proving  that  they  had  been  recently  inhabited. 
During  the  whole  of  this  and  the  following  day  we  saw  no 
human  being,  a  circumstance  which  I  note  here,  because  it 
added  in  no  small  degree  to  the  troubles  I  am  about  to  detail. 


SPOTTED  HYENA. 


THE  GNOO. 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA.  201 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  9th  of  October,  when  the  wagons 
had  started  on  their  way  to  the  Meritsane  river,  our  next 
stage,  I  turned  off  the  road  in  pursuit  of  a  troop  of  brindled 
gnoos,  and  presently  came  upon  another,  which  was  joined 
by  a  third  still  larger — then  by  a  vast  herd  of  zebras,  and 
again  by  more  gnoos,  sassaybes  and  hartebeests,  pouring  down 
from  every  quarter,  until  the  landscape  literally  presented 
the  appearance  of  a  moving  mass  of  game.  Their  incredible 
numbers  so  impeded  their  progress,  that  I  had  no  difficulty 
in  closing  with  them,  dismounting  as  opportunity  offered, 
firing  both  barrels  of  my  rifle  into  the  retreating  phalanx, 
and  leaving  the  ground  strewed  with  the  slain.  Still  unsatis- 
fied, I  could  not  resist  the  temptation  of  mixing  with  the 
fugitives,  loading  and  firing,  until  my  jaded  horse  suddenly 
exhibited  symptoms  of  distress,  and  shortly  afterwards  was 
unable  to  move.  At  this  moment  I  discovered  that  I  had 
dropped  my  pocket  compass,  and  being  unwilling  to  lose  so 
valuable  an  ally,  I  turned  loose  my  steed  to  graze,  and  re- 
traced my  steps  several  miles  without  success ;  the  prints  of 
my  horse's  hoofs  being  at  length  lost  in  those  of  the  count- 
less herds  which  had  crossed  the  plain.  Completely  absorbed 
in  the  chase,  I  had  retained  but  an  imperfect  idea  of  my 
locality ;  but  returning  to  my  horse,  I  led  him  in  what  I  be- 
lieved to  be  a  north-easterly  direction,  knowing,  from  a  sketch 
of  the  country  which  had  been  given  me  by  our  excellent  friend 
Mr.  Moffat,  and  which,  together  with  drawing  materials,  I 
carried  about  me,  that  that  course  would  eventually  bring  me 
to  the  Meritsane.  After  dragging  my  weary  horse  nearly  all  the 
day  under  a  burning  sun,  my  flagging  spirits  were  at  length 
revived  by  the  appearance  of  several  villages.  Under  other 
circumstances,  I  should  have  avoided  intercourse  with  the  in- 
mates, but  dying  with  thirst,  I  eagerly  entered  each  in  suc- 
cession, and  to  my  inexpressible  disappointment,  found  them 
deserted.  The  same  evidence  existing  of  their  having  been 
recently  inhabited,  I  shot  a  hartebeest,  in  the  hope  that  the 


202  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

smell  of  meat  would  as  usual  attract  some  stragglers  to  the 
spot.  But  no.  The  keen-sighted  vultures,  that  were  my 
only  attendants,  descended  in  multitudes,  but  no  woolly- 
headed  negro  appeared  to  dispute  the  prey.  In  many  of 
the  trees  I  observed  large  thatched  houses  resembling  hay- 
stacks ;  and  under  the  impression  that  these  had  been  erected 
in  so  singular  a  position  by  the  natives  as  a  measure  of  secu- 
rity against  the  lions,  whose  recent  tracks  I  distinguished  in 
every  direction,  I  ascended  more  than  one  in  the  hope  of  at 
least  finding  some  vessel  containing  water.  Alas !  they 
proved  to  be  the  habitations  of  large  communities  of  social 
grosbeaks,  those  winged  republicans  of  whose  architecture 
and  magnificent  edifices,  I  had,  till  now,  entertained  a  very 
inadequate  conception.  Faint  and  bewildered,  my  prospects 
began  to  brighten  as  the  shadows  of  evening  lengthened. 
Large  troops  of  ostriches  running  in  one  direction,  plainly 
indicated  that  I  was  approaching  water ;  and  immediately 
afterwards  I  struck  into  a  path  impressed  with  the  foot-marks 
of  women  and  children — soon  arriving  at  a  nearly  dry  river, 
which,  running  east  and  west,  I  at  once  concluded  to  be  that 
of  which  I  was  in  search. 

"  Those  only  who  have  suffered  as  I  did  during  this  day 
from  prolonged  thirst,  can  form  a  competent  idea  of  the  de- 
light, and  I  may  add,  energy,  afforded  me  by  the  first  draught 
of  the  putrid  waters  of  the  Meritsane.  They  equally  invigo- 
rated my  exhausted  steed,  which  I  mounted  immediately  and 
cantered  up  the  bank  of  the  river,  in  order,  if  possible,  to 
reach  the  wagons  before  dark.  The  banks  are  precipitous — 
the  channel  deep,  broken,  and  rocky ;  clusters  of  reeds  and 
long  grass  indicating  those  spots  which  retain  the  water  dur- 
ing the  hot  months.  It  was  with  no  small  difficulty,  after 
crossing  the  river,  that  I  forced  my  way  through  the  broad 
belt  of  tangled  bushes  which  margined  the  edge.  The  moon- 
less night  was  fast  closing  around,  and  my  weary  horse  again 
began  to  droop.  The  lions,  commencing  their  nightly  prowl, 


SOCIABLE  GROSBEAKS. 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA. 


205 


GUINEA  FOWL. 

were  roaring  in  all  directions,  and  no  friendly  fire  or  beacon 
presenting  itself  to  my  view,  the  only  alternative  was  to  bi- 
vouac where  I  was,  and  to  renew  my  search  in  the  morning. 
Kindling  a  fire,  I  formed  a  thick  bush  into  a  pretty  secure 
hut,  by  cutting  away  the  middle,  and  closing  the  entrance 
with  thorns ;  and  having  knee-haltered  my  horse  to  prevent 
his  straying,  I  proceeded  to  dine  upon  a  guinea-fowl  that  I 
had  killed,  comforting  myself  with  another  draught  of  aqua 
pura.  The  monarchs  of  the  forest  roared  incessantly,  and 
so  alarmed  my  horse,  that  I  was  obliged  repeatedly  to  fire  my 
rifle  to  give  him  confidence.  It  was  piercingly  cold,  and  all 
my  fuel  being  expended,  I  suffered  as  much  from  chills  as  I 
had  during  the  day  from  the  scorching  heat.  About  three 
o'clock,  completely  overcome  by  fatigue,  I  could  keep  my 
eyes  open  no  longer,  and  commending  myself  to  the  protect- 
ing care  of  Providence,  fell  into  a  profound  sleep.  On  open- 

18 


206  THRILLING  ADVENTURES 

ing  my  eyes,  my  first  thought  was  of  my  horse.  I  started 
from  my  heathy  bed  in  the  hope  of  finding  him  where  I  had 
last  seen  him,  but  his  place  was  empty.  I  roamed  every 
where  in  search  of  him,  and  ascended  trees  which  offered  a 
good  look-out,  but  he  was  no  where  to  be  seen.  It  was  more 
than  probable  he  had  been  eaten  by  lions,  and  I  had  almost 
given  up  the  search  in  despair,  when  I  at  length  found  his 
foot-mark,  and  traced  him  to  a  deep  hollow  near  the  river 
where  he  was  quietly  grazing.  The  night's  rest,  if  so  it  could 
be  called,  had  restored  him  to  strength,  and  I  pursued  my 
journey  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  which  I  now  re-crossed 
opposite  to  the  site  of  some  former  scene  of  strife,  marked  by 
numerous  human  skeletons,  bleached  by  exposure.  A  little 
further  on  I  disturbed  a  large  lion,  which  walked  slowly  off, 
occasionally  stopping  and  looking  over  his  shoulder,  as  he  de- 
liberately ascended  the  opposite  bank.  In  the  course  of  half 
an  hour,  I  reached  the  end  of  the  dense  jungle,  and  imme- 
diately discovered  the  wagon  road ;  but  as  I  could  detect  no 
recent  traces  upon  it,  I  turned  to  the  southward,  and  after 
riding  seven  or  eight  miles  in  the  direction  of  Sicklagole,  had 
the  unspeakable  satisfaction  of  perceiving  the  wagons  drawn 
up  under  a  large  tree  in  the  middle  of  the  plain.  The  dis- 
charge of  my  rifle  at  a  little  distance  had  relieved  the  anx- 
iety of  my  companions  and  followers,  who  during  the  night 
had  entertained  the  most  gloomy  forebodings  on  my  account, 
being  convinced  that  I  had  either  been  torn  piecemeal  by 
lions,  or  speared  by  the  assagais  of  the  cannibals  !  A  cup 
of  coffee  was  immediately  offered  me,  which  as  I  had  scarcely 
tasted  nourishment  for  thirty  hours  proved  highly  grateful ; 
and  I  learned  that  Richardson  had  been  obliged  to  halt  in 
the  plain  in  the  preceding  night,  in  consequence  of  the  great 
length  of  the  march,  and  the  darkness  overtaking  him.  This 
accounted  for  my  not  meeting  him  on  the  river  bank,  which 
we  again  reached  in  about  two  hours,  encamping  under  a 
grove  of  spreading  mokaala  trees. 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA. 


209 


MOSELEKATSE. 

"  Both  the  Sicklagole  and  the  Meritsane  take  their  source 
in  the  low  range  of  hills  called  Kunuana,  considerably  to  the 
eastward  of  the  point  where  we  crossed  them ;  and,  joining 
about  the  same  distance  to  the  westward,  empty  themselves 
into  the  Molopo.  Near  their  confluence  the  camp  of  Mr. 
Bain,  a  trader,  was  attacked  in  1834,  by  Moselekatse. 
A  party  of  marauding  Griquas,  whom  he  had  imprudently 
taken  with  him  to  assist  in  hunting,  entered  the  territories 
of  that  prince,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  several  head  of 
cattle,  with  which  they  had  made  good  their  retreat.  A  large 
party  of  warriors,  however,  overtook  them  when  within  sight 
of  the  camp ;  nearly  all  the  followers  fled  in  disorder  on  the 
first  alarm,  leaving  their  master  to  shift  for  himself,  who, 
finding  the  camp  surrounded  and  resistance  vain,  jumped  on 
his  horse,  and,  accompanied  by  four  of  his  people,  narrowly 

18* 


210 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


MATABILI  WARRIOR. 

escaped  with  life,  by  riding  through  and  killing  some  of  the 
assailants.  After  travelling  several  days,  and  suffering 
dreadfully  from  want  of  food  and  water,  the  party  reached 
Motito  nearer  dead  than  alive. 

"  The  reports  of  four  savages  of  the  Batlapi  tribe  who 
joined  us  yesterday,  determined  us  to  halt  a  day  for  the  pur- 
pose of  hunting.  Richardson  and  myself  left  the  wagons  at 
daybreak,  attended  by  these  men,  and  crossing  the  river, 
took  a  north-westerly  direction  through  a  park  of  magnificent 
camelthorn  trees,  many  of  which  were  groaning  under  the 
huge  nests  of  the  social  grosbeak ;  whilst  others  were  deco- 
rated with  green  clusters  of  misletoe,  the  bright  scarlet  ber- 


HUNTING  IN   SOUTHERN  AFRICA. 


213 


ELAND. 

ries  of  which  were  highly  ornamental.  We  soon  perceived 
large  herds  of  quaggas  and  brindled  gnoos,  which  continued 
to  join  each  other,  until  the  whole  plain  seemed  alive.  The 
clatter  of  their  hoofs  was  perfectly  astounding,  and  I  could 
compare  it  to  nothing  but  to  the  din  of  a  tremendous  charge 
of  cavalry,  or  the  rushing  of  a  mighty  tempest.  I  could  not 
estimate  the  accumulated  numbers  at  less  than  fifteen  thous- 
and ;  a  great  extent  of  country  being  actually  checkered  black 
and  white  with  their  congregated  masses.  As  the  panic 
caused  by  the  report  of  our  rifles,  extended,  clouds  of  dust 
hovered  over  them ;  and  the  long  necks  of  troops  of 
ostriches  were  also  to  be  seen,  towering  above  the  heads  of 
of  their  less  gigantic  neighbors,  and  sailing  past  with  asto- 
nishing rapidity.  Groups  of  purple  sassaybes,  and  brilliant 
red  and  yellow  hartebeests,  likewise  lent  their  aid  to  complete 
the  picture,  which  must  have  been  seen  to  be  properly  under- 


214  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

stood,  and  which  beggars  all  attempt  at  description.  The 
savages  kept  in  our  wake,  quickly  dispatching  the  wounded 
gnoos  by  a  touch  on  the  spine  with  the  point  of  an  assagai, 
and  instantly  covering  up  the  carcasses  with  bushes,  to  secure 
them  from  the  voracity  of  the  vultures,  which  hung  about 
us  like  specks  in  the  firmament,  and  descended  with  the  velo- 
city of  lightning,  as  each  discharge  of  our  artillery  gave 
token  of  prey.  As  we  proceeded,  two  strange  figures  were 
perceived  standing  under  the  shade  of  a  tree ;  these  we  in- 
stantly knew  to  be  elands,  the  savages  at  the  same  moment 
exclaiming,  'Impoofo,  impoofo,'  and  pressing  our  horses  to 
the  utmost  speed,  we  found  ourselves  for  the  first  time  at  the 
heels  of  the  largest  and  most  beautiful  species  of  the  antelope 
tribe.  Notwithstanding  the  unwieldy  shape  of  these  animals, 
they  had  at  first  greatly  exceeded  the  speed  of  our  jaded 
horses,  but  being  pushed  they  soon  separated ;  their  sleek 
coats  turned  first  blue  and  then  white  with  froth ;  the  foam 
fell  from  their  mouths  and  nostrils,  and  the  perspiration  from 
their  sides.  Their  pace  gradually  slackened,  and  with  their 
full  brilliant  eyes  turned  imploringly  toward  us,  at  the  end 
of  a  mile,  each  was  laid  low  by  a  single  ball.  They  were 
young  bulls,  measuring  upwards  of  seventeen  hands  at  the 
shoulder. 

"  I  was  engaged  in  making  a  sketch  of  the  one  I  had  shot, 
when  the  savages  came  up,  and  in  spite  of  all  my  remon- 
strances, proceeded  with  cold-blooded  ferocity  to  stab  the 
unfortunate  animal,  stirring  up  the  blood  and  shouting  with 
barbarous  exultation,  as  it  issued  from  each  newly  inflicted 
wound,  regardless  of  the  eloquent  and  piteous  appeal,  ex- 
pressed in  the  beautiful  clear  black  eye  of  the  mild  and 
inoffensive  eland. 

"  In  size  and  shape,  the  body  of  the  male  eland  resembles 
that  of  a  well-conditioned  Guzerat  ox,  not  unfrequently  at- 
taining the  height  of  nineteen  hands,  and  weighing  two  thou- 
sand pounds.  The  head  is  strictly  that  of  the  antelope,  light, 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA.  217 

graceful,  and  bony,  with  a  pair  of  magnificent  straight  horns, 
about  two  feet  in  length,  spirally  ringed,  and  pointed  back- 
wards. A  broad  and  deep  dewlap,  fringed  with  brown  hair, 
reaches  to  the  knee.  The  colour  varies  considerably  with  the 
age,  being  dun  in  some,  in  others  an  ashy  blue  with  a  tinge 
of  ochre  ;  and  in  many  also  sandy  grey  approaching  to  white. 
The  flesh  is  esteemed  by  all  classes  in  Africa,  above  that  of 
any  other  animal ;  in  grain  and  colour  it  resembles  beef,  but 
is  better  tasted,  and  more  delicate,  possessing  a  pure  game 
flavor,  and  the  quantity  of  fat  with  which  it  is  interlarded  is 
surprising,  greatly  exceeding  that  of  any  other  game  quad- 
ruped with  which  I  am  acquainted.  The  female  is  smaller  and 
of  slighter  form,  with  less  ponderous  horns.  The  stoutest  of 
our  savage  attendants  could  with  difficulty  transport  the  head 
of  the  eland  to  the  wagons,  where  one  of  the  Hottentots  had 
just  arrived  with  the  carcass  of  a  sassaybe  that  he  had  dragged 
a  considerable  distance  assisted  by  upwards  of  twenty  sa- 
vages. These  men  were  no  sooner  made  acquainted  with  the 
occurrences  of  the  morning,  than  they  set  off  at  speed  upon  the 
tracks  of  our  horses,  and  were  presently  out  of  sight.  About 
sunset  the  party  returned  gorged  to  the  throats,  and  groaning 
under  an  external  load  of  flesh,  which  having  been  unable  to 
consume,  they  had  hung  round  their  necks. 

"  About  midnight  an  unsual  commotion  caused  us  to  start 
from  our  sleep.  The  whole  of  the  cattle  had  burst  through 
the  thorn  fence  by  which  they  were  surrounded,  and  panic- 
stricken,  were  blindly  charging  they  knew  not  whither  ;  oxen, 
horses,  and  sheep,  tumbling  headlong  over  the  wagon  poles, 
and  over  each  other,  in  indescribable  confusion.  The  night 
was  intensely  dark, — Coeur  de  Lion  had  clambered  on  to  the 
top  of  the  baggage-wagon,  and  was  screaming  like  a  woman, 
whilst  each  Hottentot  was  discharging  his  gun,  loaded  with 
ball,  in  any  direction  that  the  muzzle  might  happen  to  have 
assumed.  The  horses  were  the  least  alarmed,  and  after 
floundering  about  in  the  dark  for  some  time,  we  succeeded  in 

19 


218  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

recovering  all  but  one ;  but  every  endeavor  to  reclaim  the 
oxen  and  sheep  proving  abortive,  we  retired  again  to  rest, 
having  first  ascertained,  by  the  light  of  a  candle,  that  the 
consternation  had  been  occasioned  by  three  lions  that  had 
entered  the  fold  and  slain  two  of  the  sheep. 

"At  daybreak  both  Hottentots  and  savages  were  dis- 
patched on  the  tracks  of  the  fugitives.  Some  of  the  savages 
shortly  returned  with  the  sheep,  several  more  having,  how- 
ever, been  devoured  by  lions ;  but  the  former  did  not  make 
their  appearance  till  noon,  when  they  informed  us  that  the 
oxen  had  divided  into  two  parties,  and  being  dreadfully 
alarmed,  would  not  stop  in  all  probability  until  they  should 
reach  the  Kuruman ;  adding,  that  if  we  wished  to  recover 
them,  each  Hottentot  must  be  provided  with  a  horse  and  a 
supply  of  ammunition.  Knowing  from  sad  experience  the 
fate  that  awaited  our  steeds,  upon  whose  well-being  our  sport 
entirely  depended,  we  resisted  the  application ;  upon  which 
all  but  Claas  and  Elthaldur  begged  to  throw  up  their  com- 
missions. No  one  had  any  complaint  to  allege  except  April, 
who  objected  to  the  fatness  of  the  mutton,  and  Andries,  who 
felt  aggrieved  by  a  threat  of  retribution  extended  at  Chooi. 
The  latter  looked  particularly  black,  and  it  was  not  until 
after  he  had  been  dispatched  with  Cobus  on  horseback  in 
quest  of  the  oxen,  that  we  discovered  him  to  have  been  the 
instigator  of  a  plot,  which  had  been  joined  by  all,  to  desert 
us  in  the  wilderness,  and  to  return  to  the  Colony  with  the 
horses  and  whatever  else  they  could  lay  their  hands  upon. 

"  Apprehensive  of  another  attack  from  lions,  we  moved  in 
the  afternoon  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  drawing  up 
the  wagons  on  the  top  of  a  hillock,  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
flank  the  cattle  inclosure — an  arrangement  which  we  ever 
afterwards  observed.  Our  friends  the  Batlapi  returned  about 
sunset  with  the  oxen,  which  they  had  found  twelve  miles 
off,  a  piece  of  service  for  which,  according  to  agreement, 
they  were  rewarded  with  a  yard  of  tobacco  and  a  tinder-box. 


\ 


RHINOCEROS. 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA.  221 

Cobus  and  Andries  also  came  back  during  the  night,  having 
galled  the  backs  of  both  the  horses,  without  obtaining  any 
tidings  of  the  lost  one.  The  whole  of  the  following  day  was 
passed  in  fruitless  endeavors  to  recover  the  truant,  and  it 
was  not  until  six  months  afterwards,  that  we  ascertained  he 
had  returned  to  the  farm  on  which  he  had  been  bred  in  the 
New  Hantam,  a  distance  of  five  hundred  miles.  Continuing 
our  journey  on  the  14th  of  October,  twenty-eight  miles, 
through  a  beautiful  country  abounding  with  trees  and  grass, 
we  reached  the  Lotlokane,  the  shallow  channel  of  a  periodical 
river,  said  in  the  rainy  season  to  contribute  its  mite  to  the 
Molopo,  which  it  joins  some  distance  to  the  westward.  At 
this  season  it  was  perfectly  dry;  but  we  had  fortunately 
found  a  small  pool  of  water  on  the  road,  at  which  we  break- 
fasted, after  killing  several  hartebeests  and  sassaybes.  The 
skins  of  both  these  animals,  and  especially  of  the  latter,  are 
in  great  demand  amongst  the  savages,  for  Jcobos,  or  fur  cloaks, 
both  on  account  of  their  brilliant  colour  and  their  supple  na- 
ture. They  are  cured  by  means  of  continual  rubbing, 
stretching,  and  scraping ;  and  for  this  purpose  are  constantly 
carried  about,  and  referred  to  as  an  amusement  in  moments 
of  leisure.  The  operation  is  rendered  less  tedious  by  the 
constant  addition  of  grease ;  and  less  irksome,  by  savage 
howlings  and  gruntings,  intended  to  pass  current  for  singing. 
"  The  sassaybes,  or  crescent-horned  antelope,  and  the 
caama,  hartebeest,  are  both  members  of  the  Acronotine 
group,  and  are  alike  remarkable  for  their  elevated  withers, 
drooping  hind  quarters,  and  triangular  form.  The  colour 
of  the  former  is  of  a  pompadour  or  purple  violet,  and  of  the 
latter  bright  orange ;  their  legs  and  faces  being  eccentrically 
marked  as  if  with  a  brush  of  a  sign  painter.  Their  brain  as 
well  as  that  of  the  gnoo,  is  filled  with  large  white  maggots — 
a  phenomenon,  of  which,  until  I  had  received  occular  evi- 
dence, I  could  not  help  being  sceptical.  And  the  horns  of 
the  hartebeest  are  placed  on  the  very  summit  of  the  head, 

19* 


222  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


WILD  DOG. 

upon  a  prolongation  of  the  frontal  bone,  instead  of  above 
the  eyes  as  in  most  other  antelopes. 

"  Rations  of  flour  were  here  first  served  out  to  the  followers, 
in  the  measure  of  three-quarters  of  a  pound  of  meal  to  each 
man,  and  were  continued  daily  during  the  rest  of  the  journey. 
In  the  morning  four  savages  volunteered  to  show  us  a  rhino- 
ceros. We  accompanied  them  amongst  ruined  stone  kraals 
of  great  extent,  situated  to  the  left  of  the  road,  and  so  over- 
grown with  thorn-bushes,  that  we  were  not  unfrequently 
obliged  to  exchange  an  erect  for  a  stooping  posture,  and  at 
times,  even  to  travel  on  our  hands  and  knees.  We  found 
nothing,  however,  but  a  pack  of  wild  dogs  that  had  just  hunted 
down  a  hartebeest.  Like  the  wild  dogs  of  India,  these  ani- 
mals take  the  field  in  organized  packs,  and  by  their  perseve- 
rance seldom  fail  to  weary  out  the  swiftest  antelope.  Of  a 
slender  form,  the  general  colour  is  an  ochreous  yellow,  brin- 
dled and  blotched  with  dingy  black.  The  ears  are  large  and 
semi-circular ;  the  muzzle  and  face  black,  and  the  tail  bushy 
like  that  of  a  fox. 

"  During  the  day  we  passed  another  extensive  stone  town, 
which  once  contained  its  "busy  thousands,"  but  now  presents 
a  heap  of  ruins.  The  walls  extend  more  than  a  mile  on  each 


HUNTING   IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA.  225 

side  of  the  road,  and  the  plains  on  which  it  is  constructed  is 
thickly  covered  with  a  species  of  wild  basil,  yielding  an  aro- 
matic scent  when  crushed  under  the  foot.  We  had  scarcely 
passed  this  desolate  city  of  the  desert,  when  the  lightning 
began  to  flash,  and  tremendous  peals  of  thunder  burst  over 
our  heads.  A  black  cloud  that  had  suddenly  formed  then 
emptied  its  contents  upon  us ;  the  rain  pouring  down  like 
sluice  for  five  minutes,  and  obliging  us  to  seek  shelter  in  the 
wagons.  Ceasing  as  abruptly  as  it  commenced,  we  passed 
on  at  once  to  parched  and  dusty  land,  from  a  tract  which  had 
in  an  instant  become  covered  with  pools  of  water. 

"It  was  nearly  dark  when  we  reached  the  Molopo,  a  few 
miles  below  its  source.  This  river  which  forms  the  western 
boundary  of  Moselekatse's  territory,  exhibits  a  broad  shallow 
bed,  covered  with  turf,  traversed  by  a  deep  stream  about  ten 
yards  wide,  completely  overgrown  with  high  reeds.  The  soil 
on  both  sides  is  black,  spread  with  luxuriant  grass,  and  de- 
tached clumps  of  acacia.  We  crossed,  and  encamped  on  the 
northern  bank,  under  a  solitary  tree,  around  which  was  a  ready 
made  fence  for  the  cattle.  During  the  night,  the  obtrusive 
visit  of  a  hippopotamus — of  which  amphibious  animals  there 
are  abundance  in  the  river — caused  great  consternation; 
Richard  screaming,  and  the  Hottentots  expending  their  ball- 
cartridge  as  usual. 

"  The  two  following  days  were  spent  in  hunting  the  eland 
and  gemsbok.  The  latter,  which  is  doubtless  the  animal 
from  which  the  delineations  of  the  fabulous  unicorn  have  de- 
scended, is  one  of  the  most  magnificent  antelopes  in  the  uni- 
verse. Although  common  in  Namaqua-land,  it  is  rare  in  this 
part  of  the  country,  and  we  were  fortunate  in  finding  three, 
one  of  which  I  succeeded  in  riding  down ;  nearly,  however, 
sacrificing  my  best  horse  in  the  arduous  achievement.  The 
oryx  is  about  the  size  of  an  ass,  and  nearly  of  the  same  ground 
colour,  with  a  black  list  stripe  down  the  back  and  on  each 
flank ;  white  legs  variegated  with  black  bands ;  and  a  white 


226  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

face,  marked  with  the  figure  of  a  black  nose-band  and  head- 
stall, imparting  altogether  to  the  animal  the  appearance  of 
being  clad  in  half-mourning.  Its  copious  black  tail  literally 
sweeps  the  ground ;  a  mane  reversed,  and  a  tuft  of  flowing 
black  hair  on  the  breast,  with  a  pair  of  straight  slender  horns 
(common  to  both  sexes,)  three  feet  in  length,  and  ringed  at 
the  base,  completing  the  portrait.  During  the  chase,  I  passed 
under  the  nose  of  three  rhinoceroses,  which,  on  my  return,  I 
was  unable  to  find.  Richardson  had  fallen  in  with  a  troop 
of  five  lions,  one  of  which  he  wounded,  but  being  deserted  by 
the  Hottentots,  was  unable  to  follow  among  the  brushwood ; 
and  my  horse  was  so  completely  exhausted,  that  I  was  obliged 
to  drag  him  home,  carrying  the  saddle  myself. 

"  Prodigious  swarms  of  locusts  passed  overhead  to  the  east- 
ward during  the  greater  part  of  the  day,  and  were  followed 
by  such  dense  flights  of  birds  as  almost  to  darken  the  air. 
The  springhaan  vogel,  as  the  latter  is  called  by  the  colonists, 
is  about  the  size  of  a  swallow,  with  numerous  speckles  like 
the  starling,  and  is  said  to  subsist  almost  exclusively  upon 
the  destructive  insects  with  which  it  literally  vies  in  point  of 
numbers.  The  ravages  committed  by  the  locusts,  whose  deso- 
lating visits  have  been  the  theme  of  naturalists  and  historians 
in  all  ages,  have  too  probably  been  witnessed  by  the  majority 
of  my  Indian  readers ;  but  Africa,  more  especially  the 
northern  parts  of  it,  would  appear  to  be  a  quarter  of  the  globe 
even  more  frequently  and  more  severely  subjected  to  the 
scourge  of  their  inroads  than  Asia.  Often  have  the  lands  on 
the  frontier  of  the  colony  been  totally  laid  waste  by  the  mi- 
gratory swarms,  which,  as  usual,  have  been  followed  by  all 
the  horrors  of  famine ;  whilst  to  the  wandering  Bushman, 
who  has  neither  flocks  nor  herds  to  perish  for  lack  of  nou- 
rishment— no  garden  nor  cornfields  of  which  to  lament  the 
devastation,  the  intrusion,  so  appalling  to  the  grazier  and 
agriculturalist,  proves  a  source  of  joy  rather  than  of  sorrow. 
Following  up  their  devouring  hosts,  he  feeds  upon  them  as 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTHERN  AFRICA.  229 

they  advance,  and  preserving  also  a  large  quantity  for  future 
emergencies,  finds  in  the  insect  army  a  ready  and  ample  com- 
pensation for  the  wild  game  which  has  been  compelled  to 
abandon  the  ravaged  pastures  of  the  wilderness.  The  here- 
ditary enemies  are  also  numerous ;  almost  every  animal,  do- 
mestic as  well  as  wild,  contributes  to  their  destruction — fowls, 
horses,  oxen,  sheep,  and  antelopes,  alike  swallowing  them 
with  the  greatest  avidity. 

"  The  night  of  the  17th  was  rainy  and  tempestuous ;  and 
the  lions,  never  failing  to  take  advantage  of  such  an  oppor- 
tunity, prowled  round  the  camp,  roaring  in  concert  with  the 
sighing  of  the  reeds,  which  so  alarmed  the  cattle  that  they 
thrice  broke  loose,  and  were  recovered  with  difficulty.  There 
was  nothing,  however,  to  prevent  our  resuming  the  journey 
in  the  morning,  the  thirsty  earth  having  completely  absorbed 
the  deluge  that  had  fallen.  Our  road  lay  across  a  plain, 
with  isolated  groves  of  acacia,  and  we  frequently  passed  over 
a  solid  pavement  of  granite.  Visiting  the  scene  of  the  gems- 
bok's  humiliation,  and  searching  amongst  alow  belt  of  wooded 
hillocks,  which  skirted  a  part  of  the  road,  I  found  a  fine  fat 
eland,  which  I  drove  into  a  plain,  and,  assisted  by  Richardson, 
brought  up  to  the  wagons,  and  then  dispatched,  the  caravan 
being  immediately  halted.  We  frequently  afterwards  adopted 
the  plan,  which  saved  the  trouble  of  carrying  the  meat  from 
a  distance ;  and  the  unfortunate  animal  once  blown,  was 
much  more  manageable  than  a  Smithfield  ox. 

"  Andries  having  donned  his  best  apparel,  here  proposed 
to  proceed  on  horseback  to  Mosega,  in  order  to  apprise  the 
king  of  our  approach — an  offer  which  we  gladly  accepted. 
From  this  point,  the  summits  of  distant  ranges  of  hills  could 
be  distinguished,  across  extensive  plains  covered  with  grass 
waving  to  the  breeze,  which  stretched  away  to  the  northward 
and  eastward,  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  On  the  left,  the 
low  range  of  hillocks,  already  noticed,  terminated  at  some 
distance  in  several  detached  hills — some  conical,  others  table- 

20 


230  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

topped — the  white  slabs  on  the  sides  of  these  strongly  con- 
trasting with  the  black  charred  bushes  which  grew  amongst 
the  crevices.  A  large  portion  of  the  country  had  been  set 
on  fire  a  few  weeks  before,  in  order  to  clear  off  the  withered 
grass,  and  the  bountiful  thunder-clouds  having  caused  the 
young  green  blades  to  make  their  appearance,  large  herds  of 
game  had  been  attracted  to  the  spot.  At  the  gorge  of  these 
hills  was  an  extensive  line  of  pit-falls,  into  one  of  which  a 
hartebeest,  whose  leg  I  had  broken,  fell  as  I  was  riding  him 
down — my  horse  being  nearly  engulfed  in  a  second,  at  the 
same  moment.  During  the  day  I  killed  another  impoofo, 
which  actually  measured  nineteen  hands  two  inches  at  the 
shoulder,  and  was  even  more  remarkably  unwieldy  than  any 
we  had  hitherto  seen. 

"  Our  road  was  now  sometimes  over  a  rocky  pavement,  at 
others  over  ground  which  threatened  the  destruction  of  the 
wagons;  large  stones  more  than  a  foot  in  height,  offering 
sharp  sides  and  projecting  points,  were  firmly  fixed  in  the 
ground,  and  added  to  careless  driving,  threw  the  vehicles 
from  side  to  side  with  a  violence  that  shook  every  spoke. 
About  four  o'clock  we  halted  at  the  Mimori  river,  only  five 
miles  from  Mosega.  A  chain  of  lakes  to  the  left  of  our  camp 
containing  a  herd  of  wild  buffaloes,  whose  formidable  heads, 
resembling  masses  of  rock,  were  protruding  from  the  water 
amid  waving  sedges,  the  whole  of  their  bodies  being  immerged. 
I  wounded  one,  which  I  attempted  to  ride  down  ;  but  the 
sharp-pointed  stones  cutting  the  shoeless  feet  of  my  horse  to 
pieces,  I  brought  him  back  to  the  wagons,  dead  lame." 


GREEXLANDER  HUNTING  NARWHAL. 


ALTHOUGH  the  narwhal  has  not  suffered  from  false  reports 
so  much  as  many  other  animals,  yet  it  has  unwittingly  con- 
tributed to  propagate  a  very  old  error.  The  spiral  tusk  of 
the  narwhal  was  accustomed  to  be  sold  as  the  real  horn  of 
the  unicorn ;  and  as  an  accredited  part  of  that  animal,  forming 
direct  proof  of  its  existence,  it  used  to  fetch  a  very  high 
price.  Of  course,  when  the  whale  fishery  was  established,  the 
real  owner  of  the  horn  was  discovered,  and  the  unicorn  left 
still  enveloped  in  mystery. 


232  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

The  name  Monodon  is  not  strictly  correct,  as  the  narwhal 
possesses  two  of  these  tusks,  one  each  side  of  its  head.  Only 
the  left  tusk  projects,  the  other  remaining  within  the  head. 
Sometimes  a  specimen  has  been  found  with  both  tusks  pro- 
jecting, and  some  think  that  when  the  left  tusk  has  been 
broken  off  by  accident,  the  right  one  becomes  large  enough 
to  supply  its  place. 

The  use  of  these  tusks  is  not  known ;  some  supposing  that 
they  are  employed  to  dig  up  sea-weeds,  &c.,  on  which  the 
narwhal  feeds,  and  some  imagining  that  the  living  prey  is 
first  transfixed  and  then  eaten.  Be  this  as  it  may,  as  a  weapon 
the  tusk  is  not  to  be  despised,  as  the  strength  and  rapidity 
of  the  Narwhal  are  very  great.  Instances  are  on  record,  of 
the  thick  oak  timbers  of  a  ship  being  pierced  by  the  ivory  tusk 
of  this  creature.  The  Greenlanders  employ  this  ivory  in  the 
manufacture  of  spears,  arrows,  hooks,  &c.  They  take  the 
narwhal  by  a  kind  of  harpoon  attached  to  a  line,  with  a  buoy 
at  its  extremity.  The  use  of  the  buoy  is  to  harass  and  retard 
the  narwhal  when  struck,  and  to  give  notice  when  about  to 
rise.  Immediately  that  it  reaches  the  surface,  a  lance  is  thrust 
into  it,  which  generally  proves  its  death-blow.  The  adven- 
turous Greenlander  finds  it  a  most  welcome  prey,  as  he  obtains 
from  it  oil,  food,  weapons,  and  ropes.  Its  body  is  from  thirty 
to  forty  feet  in  length. 

The  most  entertaining  account  of  hunting  the  whale  which 
we  have  seen,  is  in  the  "  Narrative  of  a  Journey  Round  the 
World,"  by  F.  Gerstaecker,  just  published  by  the  Harpers. 
This  intelligent  and  observing  German  thus  describes  a 
whaling  cruise. 

With  a  good  breeze,  the  next  day  Hawaii,  or  Owhyhee, 
where  Captain  Cook  was  slain,  hove  in  sight.  We  could  notice 
the  gigantic  volcano  masses,  and  the  smoke  curling  up  from 
the  furnace  of  the  goddess  Tele :  and  I  watched  this  moun- 
tain a  long,  long  while  as  it  rose  on  the  horizon,  with  its  sharp 
outline  against  the  clear  blue  sky,  a  wonderful  rock  and  lava, 


20* 


HUNTING  THE  NARWHAL  AND  THE  WHALE.  235 

growing  out  from  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  with  only  a  crust 
upon  it,  that  covered  a  bed  of  fire. 

The  volcano  was  working  at  this  time,  at  least  a  thundering 
and  rumbling  within,  and  only  a  year  later  it  broke  out  anew, 
and  rolled  immense  masses  of  lava  down  even  to  the  foaming 
sea.  No  wonder  the  Indians  thought,  that  a  fire  god  lives  in 
the  boiling  streams  of  glowing  lava,  though  we  contradict  it, 
of  course,  and  prove  to  them  the  impossibility  of  the  thing. 

But  leaving  the  goddess  Tele  to  prove  her  existence  her- 
self, we  manned  the  tops  next  day — that  is,  two  men  were 
sent,  one  to  the  main  and  one  to  the  fore-top  to  look  out  for 
whales,  and  with  this  our  cruise  commenced.  Whalers — to 
say  at  least  a  few  words  about  our  vessel  itself,  and  introduce 
the  reader  to  our  fishing  gentry — always  carry  more  than  the 
usual  complement  of  men  for  vessels  of  their  tonnage,  because 
they  must  have  hands  left  on  board  to  work  the  ship,  and 
after  fish  have  been  taken,  to  boil  out  the  blubber,  while  four 
boats  from  large  vessels,  and  fewer  from  smaller  ones,  are 
usually  out  chasing  other  fish  in  sight.  Each  boat  has  a  crew 
of  four  men,  besides  the  boat-steerer  and  a  man  at  the  head 
of  the  boat.  The  captain  of  vessels  never  leaves  his  ship, 
though  in  some,  he  goes  himself  in  the  first  boat  as  the  look- 
out, leaving  another  one  at  the  same  time  to  command  the 
vessel. 

A  whale-ship  also  differs  in  its  deck  construction  from  any 
other  vessel.  Between  the  mainmast  and  the  foremast  are 
the  try-works — large  furnaces  built  of  brick,  and  containing 
two  or  more  very  large  iron-pots  for  trying  out  the  oil  from 
the  blubber — close  to  it  is  the  galley,  sometimes  not  much 
larger  than  an  overgrown  sentry-box,  with  a  stove  in  it,  which 
leaves  hardly  room  enough  for  the  cook  to  sit  before  and 
broil  his  knees ;  all  kinds  of  pots  and  kettles  hang  up  inside, 
and  a  perfect  variety  of  copper  and  iron  vessels  are  fitted 
upon  every  part,  in  every  nook  and  corner  of  this  machine ; 
while  it  is  a  mystery  to  me  how  a  human  being'  is  able  to 


236  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

stand  the  heat  of  such  a  box  in  a  warm  climate,  at  least  six 
or  seven  hours  of  the  day.  It  is  true  they  nearly  always  have 
black  men  for  cooks,  who  are  used  to  a  great  deal  more  heat 
than  their  northern  pale-colored  brethren,  but  even  these,  I 
should  think,  must  have  their  very  marrow  dried  up. 

Before  the  galley  there  is  also  a  blacksmith  shop,  most 
commonly  fitted  up  in  a  kind  of  box,  capable  of  being  moved 
from  one  place  to  another ;  a  blacksmith  always  having  some- 
thing to  do  on  board  a  whale-ship  in  mending  of  spades, 
lances,  or  irons,  and  fitting  rings  or  hasps  on  other  articles, 
for  the  ship  itself  or  the  boats. 

Between  the  main  and  mizzen  masts,  and  usually  extend- 
ing behind  the  latter,  a  framework  of  spars  is  erected,  called 
bearers,  upon  which  the  spare  boats,  nearly  always  four,  are 
turned  bottom  upwards. 

We  ran  south  nearly  fourteen  days,  and  tried  to  get  as  far 
east  out  of  the  trades  as  we  possibly  could ;  but  it  was  very 
little,  for  the  wind  instead  of  being  north-east,  northward  of 
the  line,  blew  nearly  due  east,  and  our  vessel,  no  first-rate 
one  by  the  wind,  could  not  work  up  well  against  it.  Besides 
that  we  sailed  very  slowly,  and  therefore  drifted  the  more. 
The  "Alexander  Bar kley,"  an  American  built  ship,  before 
she  started  from  Bremen,  instead  of  being  coppered,  was 
covered  with  plates  of  new  invention,  a  kind  of  zinc  which. 
while  being  a  great  deal  cheaper  than  copper,  was  said  to  last 
just  as  long ;  but  the  ship  had  not  been  out  more  than  two 
or  three  months  before  the  plates  began  to  give  way,  and  whiM 
I  came  on  board,  about  twelve  months  after  her  first  start, 
there  was  hardly  any  of  it  left  on  her  bow,  and  on  both  sides 
the  rags  hung  perfectly  round  her  retarding  us,  of  course, 
considerably,  and  stopping  her  headway. 

Thursday,  the  2nd  of  January,  we  crossed  the  line  in  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty-six  degrees  west  longitude,  and  two  days 
afterward  the  call  gladdened  our  ears,  "  There  she  blows  !" 

A  person  who  has  never  heard  this  call  on  board  a  whale- 


HUNTING  THE  NARWHAL  AND  THE  WHALE.  237 

ship,  after  a  long  spell  of  rest  and  watching,  can  have  no  idea 
of  the  wonderful  effect  it  produces,  like  an  electric  blow,  upon 
officers  and  crew.  "  There  she  blows !" — the  word  passes 
from  lip  to  lip — "  Where,  where  !" — "  On  the  lee-bow,  nearly 
ahead;"  and  the  men  fly  to  their  boats ;  the  boat  header  takes 
the  steering  oar  till  his  boat  comes  "fast,"  the  boat-steerer 
stands  with  the  iron  (harpoon)  in  the  bow  of  the  boat  to  have 
the  first  throw.  "  There  she  blows  again,"  not  a  cable's 
length  from  the  vessel,  and  five  or  six  spouts  are  seen  in  quick 
succession ;  the  monstrous  fish,  unconscious  of  any  danger, 
playing  and  chasing  each  other  in  the  slowly  heaving  waves. 
Down  the  boats  go,  as  quickly  and  noiselessly  as  possible,  the 
officers  get  into  them,  some  of  the  men  scramble  in  after 
them,  the  broad  sail  of  the  little  craft  flies  up,  the  wind  catches 
it,  and  away  the  sharply-cut  boat  dashes  through  and  over 
the  foaming  waters,  followed  by  the  second,  third,  fourth,  all 
eager  to  come  up  with  some  of  their  blowing  and  splashing 
victims. 

In  former  times  sailing  up  to  a  whale  in  a  boat  was  thought 
a  very  dangerous  and  daring  feat,  because  they  were  not 
able  to  run  back  again  quickly  enough,  after  the  whale  was 
struck ;  but  in  later  times,  when  the  whales  have  become, 
like  all  other  game,  much  more  shy  and  wild,  whalers  find 
pulling  up  to  a  fish  much  too  slow  and  uncertain  work  to  be 
very  profitable,  and  nearly  all  the  fishermen,  and  principally 
the  Americans,  sail  with  their  boats  up  to  the  fish,  strike 
their  irons  into  them,  if  they  get  a  chance,  and  try  to  get 
away  afterwards  in  the  best  way  they  can. 

"We  could  make  nothing  of  the  first  whales  we  saw,  for  they 
ran  too  fast  to  be  overtaken  by  the  boats,  and  though  two 
came  very  nearly  within  striking  distance,  they  got  off,  at 
last,  unharmed.  Our  captain,  however,  an  old  whaler,  liked 
the  look  of  the  water  here,  and  running  under,  shortened  sail 
half  the  night  on  the  old  course  we  tacked  about  midnight, 
to  be  in  the  morning  as  nearly  as  possible  on  the  same  spot 


238  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

^-.^^ 


STRIKING  A  WHALE. 

again ;  and  sure  enough,  the  sun  was  hardly  an  hour  high — 
just  far  enough  out  of  the  water  to  allow  a  fair  view  over  its 
surface — when  the  cry,  "  There  she  blows,  blows,  blows  !" 
as  new  spouts  followed  the  first,  brought  our  ship  to,  and  the 
boats  down  again. 

This  time  the  first  boat-header,  an  old  American,  who  had 
been  bred  up  to  whaling,  and  done  hardly  any  thing  else  all 
his  life,  and  at  the  same  time  the  finest  specimen  of  an  old 
tar  I  ever  saw,  was  the  first  to  come  up  with  one  of  the  whales, 
and  get  fast,  as  he  carried  the  largest  sail.  The  other  three 
boats  followed  the  rest  of  the  shoal,  which  swam  along  on 
the  surface  of  the  water  a  considerable  time  and  then  disap- 
peared below  it,  the  boats,  without  stopping,  keeping  in  a 
straight  course  in  hopes  of  seeing  the  fish  rise  again  after 
awhile,  and  then  having  a  fair  throw  at  them.  But  the  fish, 


HUNTING  THE  NARWHAL  AND  THE  WHALE. 


239 


» 


WHALE  DIVING. 

quite  contrary  to  their  calculation,  had  not  the  least  i, 

of  running  away,  but  only  dived  to  some  depth,  the  boats 
passing  away  over  them,  and  then  rose  again  very  nearly  on 
the  same  spot  where  they  had  disappeared.  The  three  other 
boats,  seeing  the  spouts  behind  them,  turned  round  as  quickly 
as  they  could,  and  the  second  boat-header,  also  an  American, 
got  fast  to  another  whale. 

During  this  and  the  next  day  our  ship  lay  to,  taking  the 
whales  alongside,  and  cutting  them  up ;  no  look-out  even 
being  kept  in  the  top  before  the  carcasses  had  been  cleared 
away  from  her  sides. 


240  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

The  most  interesting  part  of  the  cutting-up  to  me  was  the 
first  fastening  of  the  immense  blubber-hook,  a  large  iron 
hook  of  extraordinary  dimensions,  to  attach  which,  one  of 
the  boat-steerers  has  to  go  down  upon  the  whale,  with  a  rope 
slung  around  his  waist  in  case  of  accident,  and  lift  the  hook 
— for  it  takes  all  his  strength  to  do  that — in  to  a  hole  which 
the  spades  of  the  boat-headers  have  cut  for  it ;  these,  at  the 
same  time,  keeping  watch  over  the  boat-steerer,  who  is  some- 
times half  under  water,  and  has  half-a-dozen  sharks  close 
around  him,  which  the  scent  of  the  blood  has  enticed  to  the 
captured  fish,  and  which  are  driven  nearly  to  madness  by 
their  unvailing  efforts  to  tear  off  a  piece  of  the  tough  and 
elastic  hide. 

There  were  five  of  these  hyenas  of  the  deep  round  this  one 
whale,  and  coming  as  boldly  and  insolently  as  possible  right 
under  the  spades  of  the  men.  But  the  sailors  hate  to  strike 
their  sharpened  tools  upon  the  rough  and  hard  skin  of  the 
shark  because  it  dulls  their  instruments  directly,  and  the 
carpenters  have  their  hands  full  of  work  without  that,  in 
keeping  the  instruments  in  good  order.  Only  once  the  first 
boat-header  dropped  his  spade  which  was  as  sharp  as  a  razor, 
upon  the  head  of  a  shark,  and  laid  it  open  as  if  it  had  been  a 
soft  potato.  The  shark,  a  fellow  of  about  seven  feet  long,  had 
come  up  to  the  boat  steerer — who  had  just  succeeded  in 
fastening  the  hook,  and  had  no  time  to  look  round — close 
enough  to  take  one  of  his  legs  off  with  a  single  snap,  but  the 
spade  prevented  it.  Showing  the  white  of  its  belly  directly, 
it  sank,  and  the  boat-steerer  looking  over  his  shoulder  and 
seeing  his  dead  enemy,  only  shook  his  fist  at  it  as  it  disap- 
peared in  the  troubled  and  bloody  water. 

The  cutting  up,  or  hoisting  in  of  the  blubber,  occupied  all 
the  next  day,  and  even  when  it  had  become  perfectly  dark, 
one  of  the  heads  was  still  in  the  water,  held  by  a  rope  and 
pushed  about  by  a  couple  of  sharks,  which  had  already  torn 
off  big  pieces  from  it. 


21 


HUNTING  THE  NARWHAL  AND  THE  WHALE.  243 

In  the  afternoon  I  had  thrown  a  lance  into  one  of  these 
savage  fellows,  while  it  was  busy  in  tearing  off  a  piece  from 
one  of  the  heads ;  as  I  was  some  distance  off,  the  lance  drop- 
ped short  of  the  mark,  and  only  pierced  the  thick  part  of  the 
greedy  monster's  tail.  The  shark  immediately  left  its  hold  of 
the  head,  and  as  the  lance  came  out,  swam  some  hundred 
yards  off;  but  it  soon  returned,  and  fastened  on  the  head  again, 
tore  it  off,  and  disappeared  with  it  before  I  had  time  to  pull 
up  the  lance. 

A  difficulty  now  arose  in  fastening  the  blubber-hook  on  the 
head  in  the  dark,  and  the  second  boat-steerer  had  made  several 
unsuccessful  attempts,  when  the  boat-header  called  out  for  a 
blubber  lantern,  and  soon  afterward  a  most  singular  torch 
was  brought  forward.  It  consisted  of  iron  hoops  about  four 
inches  through  ;  and  this  fire  basket  was  filled  with  thin  split 
wood,  and  stripes  of  greasy  blubber.  The  flame  soon  caught 
the  oil,  and  blazing  to  a  height  of  nearly  three  feet,  lit  up  the 
dark  ocean  for  a  distance  of  about  thirty  yards  giving  the 
dancing  waves  a  singular  transparent  hue,  and  throwing  a 
wild  unearthly  light  over  the  figure  of  the  reckless  sailor  who 
knelt  on  the  dark  slimy  surface  of  the  whale's  head,  his  left 
hand  firmly  grasping  the  open  blubber,  and  his  right  arm 
slung  round  the  heavy  iron  hook  to  lift  it  into  the  right  place. 

What  was  that  light  streak  shooting  past  the  rolling  mass 
just  now?  Only  a  shark,  frightened  by  the  gleaming  torch, 
and  returning  to  get  another  bite  at  the  fish,  his  lawful  prey ; 
for  is  it  not  the  wild  and  fiery  master  of  the  deep.  This  shark 
held  on  by  the  whale's  head  till  it  rose,  lifted  by  the  power- 
ful windlass,  nearly  out  of  the  water,  when  it  left  its  hold 
with  the  piece  of  the  torn-off  blubber  between  its  teeth. 

"  The  next  morning  the  mast-heads  were  manned  again, 
and  not  having  made  any  head-way  from  the  neighborhood 
where  the  whales  seemed  to  have  their  feeding-ground,  the 
men  had  been  hardly  an  hour  aloft  when  the  call.  "  There 
she  blows !"  but  this  time  over  to  the  windward;  again  set 


244  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

the  hands  into  the  boats,  and  out  to  sea,  pulling  right  against 
the  wind,  toward  the  place  where  the  whales  were  spouting. 
Three  hours  afterward  the  first  headsman,  Mr.  Luis,  got  fast 
again ;  and  as  we  were  beating  against  a  tolerably  stiff  breeze, 
it  became  nearly  dark  before  we  could  get  the  whale  alongside. 

The  old  blubber  had  now  come  on  deck  to  make  room  in 
the  blubber  hole  for  the  fresh,  and  the  stench  it  emitted 
next  day  was  nearly  suffocating.  All  the  white  varnished 
parts  of  the  vessel  received  a  blue  and  lustrous  tinge,  the 
smell  on  deck  being  as  bad,  and  even  worse,  than  in  the 
cabin. 

We  commenced  trying  out  on  the  sixth,  and  had  finished 
on  the  tenth  of  January.  The  deck  still  looked  bad  enough, 
but  the  blubber  was  gone,  and  the  deck  was  also  soon  cleared. 
The  grease  of  the  sperm  whale  can  be  removed  very  easily 
with  salt  water,  being  in  this  respect  not  half  so  bad  as  that 
of  the  common  whale,  which  requires  to  be  removed  by  the 
ashes  of  the  burnt  blubber,  and  hard  scrubbing.  A  singular 
fact  connected  with  sperm-fish  is,  that  its  own  skin  forms  the 
best  soap  for  washing  off  its  grease.  If  your  hands  are  dirtied 
with  the  grease,  you  have  only  to  scrape  the  thin  black  and 
soft  outer  part  of  the  skin  a  little,  and  you  may  wash  in  salt- 
water the  grease  as  easily  off  with  this  as  with  soap  in  fresh 
water. 

These  three  fish,  though  of  no  great  size,  yielded  about  one 
hundred  and  four  barrels  of  oil ;  and  our  captain  had  strong 
hopes  of  falling  in  with  some  more  of  this  kind ;  but  day  after 
day  passed  without  seeing  a  single  spout.  The  deck  was  hailed 
several  times,  it  is  true,  but  only,  as  it  turned  out  afterward, 
for  a  finback,  or  perhaps  the  deceving  light  of  the  sun  that  glit- 
tered on  the  waves,  and  made  the  look-out  fancy  it  the  spout 
of  a  sperm -fish." 


246  WILD  SPORTS  IN  THE  HIGHLANDS. 


Jfart  of 


ST.  JOHN'S  "Wild  Sports  of  the  Highlands,"  is  a  work 
peculiarly  attractive,  by  the  unaffected  simplicity  and  honest 
cordiality  which  pervade  it.  The  author's  hand  is  evidently 
more  familiar  with  the  rod  and  rifle  than  with  the  pen  —  he 
gives  a  blunt  country  gentleman  sort  of  detail  of  Highland 
sport  by  field  and  flood,  and  has  an  observant  eye  to  the 
habits  of  the  lower  animals,  and  a  kindly  regard  withal  to 
the  objects  of  the  chase,  which  is  ever  characteristic  of  the 
legitimate  sportsman.  We  extract,  with  slight  abridgment, 

(247) 


248  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


.Cfffm 

AeiS&i 

,  m 

I    i. 


THE  EAGLES. 


one  of  the  most  stirring  incidents  in  the  volume,  the  stalking 
of  "  The  Muckle  Hart  of  Benmore." 

"  Malcolm,  the  shepherd  of  the  sheiling  at  the  foot  of  Ben 
more,  reported  his  having  crossed  in  the  hill  a  track  of  a  hart 
of  extraordinary  size,  and  guessed  it  must  be  i  the  muckle 
stag  of  Benmore.'  This  was  an  animal  seldom  seen,  but 
which  had  long  been  the  talk  and  marvel  of  the  shepherds  for 
its  wonderful  size  and  cunning.  They  love  the  marvellous, 
and  in  their  report  l  the  muckle  stag'  bore  a  charmed  life ; 
he  was  unapproachable  and  invulnerable.  I  had  heard  of  him 
too,  and,  having  got  the  necessary  information,  resolved  to  try 
to  break  the  charm,  though  it  should  cost  me  a  day  or  two. 

^  "  Monday.— This  morning,  at  sunrise,  Mr.  St.  John  with 
his  rifle,  Donald,  an  eccentric  gillie,  carrying  his  double-bar- 
reled gun,  and  Bran,  his  deer-hound,  took  their  way  up  the 
glen  to  the  sheiling  at  the  foot  of  Benmore.  After  a  fruitless 
beating  of  the  glen,  we  turned,  at  nightfall,  to  the  sheiling, 
rather  disheartened ;  but  the  shepherd  cheered  us  by  the 


THE  MUCKLE  HART  OF  BENMORE.         249 

assurance  that  the  hart  was  still  in  the  district,  and  describ- 
ing his  track,  which  he  said  was  like  that  of  a  good  sized 
heifer.  Our  spirits  were  quite  restored  by  a  meal  of  fresh 
caught  trout,  oat-cake,  and  milk,  with  a  modicum  of  whiskey, 
which  certainly  was  of  unusual  flavor  and  potency. 

"  Tuesday. — We  were  off  again  by  daybreak.  I  will  pass 
by  several  minor  adventures,  but  one  cannot  be  omitted. 
Malcolm  went  with  us  to  show  us  where  he  had  last  seen  the 
track.  As  we  crossed  a  long  reach  of  black  and  broken 
ground,  the  first  ascent  from  the  valley,  two  eagles  rose  out 
of  a  hollow  at  some  ^distance.  Their  flight  was  lazy  and 
heavy,  as  if  gorged  with  food ;  and  on  examining  the  place,  we 
found  the  carcass  of  a  sheep  half  eaten,  one  of  Malcolm's 
flock.  He  vowed  vengeance ;  and  merely  pointed  out  to  us 
our  route,  returned  for  a  spade  to  dig  a  place  of  hiding  near 
enough  to  the  carcass  to  enable  him  to  have  a  shot  at  the 
eagles  if  they  should  return.  We  held  on  our  way,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  day,  without  any  luck  to  cheer  us,  my 
resolution  'not  to  be  beat,'  being,  however,  a  good  deal 
strengthened  by  the  occasional  grumbling  of  Donald.  To- 
wards the  afternoon,  when  we  had  tired  ourselves  with  look- 
ing with  our  glasses  at  every  corrie  in  that  side  of  the  hill, 
at  length,  in  crossing  a  bare  and  boggy  piece  of  ground,  Do- 
nald suddenly  stopped,  with  a  Gaelic  exclamation,  and  pointed 
— and  there,  to  be  sure,  was  a  full  fresh  foot-print,  the  largest 
mark  of  a  deer  either  of  us  had  ever  seen.  There  was  no 
more  grumbling.  Both  of  us  were  instantly  as  much  on  the 
alert  as  when  we  started  on  the  adventure.  We  traced  the 
track  as  long  as  the  ground  would  allow.  Where  we  lost  it, 
seemed  to  point  down  the  little  burn,  which  soon  lost  itself 
to  our  view  in  a  gorge  of  bare  rocks.  We  proceeded  now 
very  cautiously,  and  taking  up  our  station  on  a  concealed 
ledge  of  rocks,  began  to  search  the  valley  below  with  our 
telescopes.  It  was  difficult  ground  to  see  a  deer  in,  if  lying ; 
and  I  had  almost  given  up  seeking,  when  Donald's  glass  be- 


250  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

came  motionless,  and  he  gave  a  sort  of  grunt  as  he  changed 
his  posture,  but  without  taking  the  glass  from  his  eye.  "  Ugh  ! 
I'm  thinking  yon's  him,  sir,  I'm  seeing  his  horns."  I  was 
at  first  incredulous ;  hut  the  doubt  was  short.  While  we  gazed, 
the  stag  rose  and  commenced  feeding ,  at  last  I  saw  the  great 
hart  of  Benmore  !  He  was  a  long  way  off,  perhaps  a  mile 
and  a  half,  but  in  excellent  ground  for  getting  at  him.  Our 
plan  was  soon  arranged.  I  was  to  stalk  him  with  the  rifle, 
while  Donald,  with  my  gun  and  Bran,  was  to  get  round,  out 
of  sight,  to  the  pass  by  which  the  deer  was  likely  to  leave  the 
valley.  My  task  was  apparently  very  easy.  After  getting 
down  behind  the  rock,  I  had  scarcely  to  stoop  my  head,  but 
to  walk  up  within  shot,  so  favorable  was  the  ground  and  the 
wind.  I  walked  cautiously,  however,  and  slowly  r  to  give 
Donald  time  to  reach  the  pass.  I  was  now  within  three  hun- 
dred yards  of  him,  when,  as  I  leant  against  a  slab  of  stone, 
all  hid  below  my  eyes,  I  saw  him  give  a  sudden  start,  stop 
feeding,  and  look  round  suspiciously.  What  a  noble  beast ! 
what  a  stretch  of  antler !  with  a  mane  like  a  lion  !  He  stood 
for  a  minute  or  two,  snuffing  every  breath.  I  could  not  guess 
the  cause  of  this  alarm;  it  was  not  myself;  the  light  wind 
blew  fair  down  from  him  upon  me ;  and  I  knew  Donald  would 
give  no  inkling  of  his  whereabouts.  He  presently  began  to 
move,  and  came  at  a  slow  trot  towards  me.  My  pulse  beat 
high.  Another  hundred  yards  forward,  and  he  is  mine  ! 
But  it  was  not  so  to  be.  He  took  the  top  of  a  steep  bank 
which  commanded  my  position,  saw  me  in  an  instant,  and  was 
off,  at  the  speed  of  twenty  miles  an  hour,  to  a  pass  wide  from 
that  where  Donald  was  hid.  While  clattering  up  the  hill, 
scattering  the  loose  stones  behind  him,  two  other  stags  joined 
him,  which  had  evidently  been  put  up  by  Donald,  and  had 
given  the  alarm  to  my  quarry.  It  was  then  that  his  great 
size  was  conspicuous.  I  could  see  with  my  glass  they  were 
full-grown  stags,  and  with  good  heads,  but  they  looked  like 
fallow  deer  as  they  followed  him  up  the  crag.  I  sat  down, 


THE  MUCKLE  HART  OF  BENMORE.          251 


THE  MOUNTAIN  FOX. 

disappointed  for  the  moment,  and  Donald  soon  joined  me, 
much  crest  fallen,  and  cursing  the  stag  in  a  curious  variety 
of  Gaelic  oaths.  Still  it  was  something  to  have  seen  '  the 
muckle  stag,'  and  nil  desperandum  was  my  motto.  We  had 
a  long  and  weary  walk  to  Malcolm's  sheiling ;  and  I  was  glad 
to  get  to  my  heather-bed,  after  arranging  that  I  should  occupy 
the  hiding-place  Malcolm  had  prepared  near  the  dead  sheep 
next  morning. 

"  Wednesday. — After  dispatching  the  plundering  eagles  in 
fine  style,  our  hero  and  his  redoubted  gillie  again  set  forth  in 
quest  of  '  the  muckle  hart.'  Our  line  of  march  to-day  was 
over  ground  so  high,  that  we  came  repeatedly  into  the  midst 
of  ptarmigan.  On  the  very  summit,  Bran  had  a  rencontre 
with  an  old  mountain  fox,  toothless,  yet  very  fat,  which  he 
made  to  bite  the  dust.  We  struck  at  one  place  the  tracks 
of  the  three  deer,  but  of  the  animals  themselves  we  saw  nothing. 
We  kept  exploring  corrie  after  corrie  till  night  fell ;  and  as 
it  was  in  vain  to  think  of  returning  to  the  sheiling,  which  yet 
was  the  nearest  roof,  we  were  content  to  find  a  sort  of  niche 
in  the  rock,  tolerably  screened  from  all  winds ;  and  having 
almost  filled  it  with  long  heather,  flower  upwards,  we  wrapped 
our  plaids  around  us,  and  slept  pretty  comfortably. 


252 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


GROUSE — BLACK  COCK — MALE. 

"  Thursday. — A  dip  in  the  burn  below  our  bivouac  reno- 
vated me.  I  did  not  observe  that  Donald  followed  my  example 
in  that ;  but  he  joined  me  in  a  hearty  attack  on  the  viands 
which  still  remained  in  our  bag,  and  we  started  with  renewed 
courage.  About  mid-day  we  came  on  a  sheiling  beside  a  long 
narrow  loch,  fringed  with  beautiful  weeping  birches,  and  there 
we  found  means  to  cook  some  grouse,  which  I  had  shot  to 
supply  our  exhausted  larder.  The  shepherd,  who  had  '  no 
Sassenach,'  cheered  us  by  his  report  of  'the  deer'  being 
lately  seen,  described  his  usual  haunts.  Donald  was  plainly 
getting  disgusted  and  home-sick.  For  myself,  I  looked  upon 


THE  MUCKLE  HART  OF  BEXMORE.          253 

it  as  my  fate  that  I  must  have  that  hart ;  so  on  we  trudged. 
Repeatedly  that  afternoon  we  came  on  the  fresh  tracks  of 
our  chase,  but  still  he  remained  invisible.  As  it  got  dark,  the 
weather  suddenly  changed,  and  I  was  glad  enough  to  let  Do- 
nald seek  for  the  bearings  of  a  '  whisky  bothy,'  which  he  had 
heard  of  at  our  last  stopping-place.  While  he  was  seeking 
for  it,  the  rain  began  to  fall  heavily,  and  through  the  dark- 
ness we  were  just  able  to  distinguish  a  dark  object,  which 
turned  out  to  be  a  horse.  '  The  lads  with  the  still  be  no  far 
off,'  said  Donald.  And  so  it  turned  out.  But  the  rain  had 
increased  the  darkness  so  much,  that  we  should  have  searched 
in  vain,  if  I  had  not  distinguished  at  intervals,  between  the 
pelting  of  the  rain  and  the  heavy  rushing  of  a  black  burn 
that  ran  beside  us,  what  appeared  to  me  to  be  the  shrill  treble 
of  a  fiddle.  I  could  scarcely  believe  my  ears.  But  when  I 
communicated  the  intelligence  to  Donald,  whose  ears  were 
less  acute,  he  jumped  with  joy.  '  It's  a'  right  enough,  sir  ; 
just  follow  the  sound.  It's  that  drunken  deevilish  Sandy 
Ross ;  ye'll  never  haud  a  fiddle  frae  him,  nor  him  frae  a 
whisky-still.'  It  was  clear  that  the  sound  came  from  across 
the  black  stream,  and  it  looked  formidable  in  the  dark.  How- 
ever, there  was  no  remedy.  So  grasping  each  other's  collar, 
and  holding  our  guns  high  overhead,  we  dashed  in,  and  stag- 
gered through  in  safety,  though  the  water  was  up  to  my  waist, 
running  like  a  mill-race,  and  the  bottom  was  of  round  stones. 
Scrambling  up  the  bank,  and  following  the  merry  sound,  we 
came  to  what  seemed  a  mere  hole  in  the  bank,  from  which  it 
proceeded.  The  hole  was  partially  covered  by  a  door  woven 
of  heather ;  and,  looking  through  it,  we  saw  a  sight  worthy  of 
Teniers.  On  a  barrel  in  the  midst  of  the  apartment — half 
hut,  half  cavern — stood  ajoft,  fiddling  with  all  his  might,  the 
identical  Sandy  Ross,  while  round  him  danced  three  unkempt 
savages ;  and  another  figure  was  stooping,  employed  over  a 
fire  in  the  corner,  where  the  whisky-pot  was  in  full  operation. 
The  fire,  and  a  sliver  or  two  of  lighted  bog-fir,  gave  light 

22 


254 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


GROUSE — BLACK  COCK — FEMALE. 

enough  to  see  the  whole,  for  the  place  was  not  above  ten  feet 
square.  We  made  our  approaches  with  becoming  caution, 
and  were,  it  is  needless  to  say,  hospitably  received ;  for  who 
ever  heard  of  Highland  smugglers  refusing  a  welcome  to 
sportsmen  ?  We  got  food,  rest,  and  fire— all  that  we  re- 
quired— and  something  more;  for 'long  after  I  had  betaken 
me  to  the  dry  heather  in  the  corner,  I  had  disturbed  visions 
of  strange  orgies  in  the  bothy,  and  of  sober  Donald  exhibiting 
curious  antics  on  the  top  of  a  tub.  These  might  have  been 
the  productions  of  a  disturbed  brain ;  but  there  is  no  doubt 


THE  MUCKLE  HART  OF  BENMORE.         255 

that,  when  daylight  awoke  me,  the  smugglers  and  Donald 
were  all  quiet  and  asleep,  far  past  my  efforts  to  rouse  them, 
except  one,  who  was  still  able  to  tend  the  fire  under  the  large 
black  pot. 

"Friday. — From  the  state  in  which  my  trusty  companion 
was,  with  his  head  on  a  heap  of  ashes,  I  saw  it  would  serve 
no  purpose  to  awake  him,  even  if  I  were  able  to  do  so.  It 
was  quite  clear  that  he  could  be  good  for  nothing  all  day.  I 
therefore  secured  some  breakfast  and  provisions'^  for  the  day, 
(part  of  them  oat-cake,  which  I  baked  for  myself,)  tied  up 
Bran  to  wait  Donald's  restoration,  and  departed  with  my  rifle 
alone.  The  morning  was  bright  and  beautiful;  the  moun- 
tain streams  overflowing  with  last  night's  rain.  I  was  now 
thrown  on  my  own  resources,  and  my  knowledge  of  the 
country,  which,  to  say  the  truth,  was  far  from  minute  or  exact. 
'  Benna-skiach'  was  my  object  to-day,  and  the  corries  which 
lay  beyond  it,  where  at  this  season  the  large  harts  were  said 
to  resort.  My  way  at  first  was  dreary  enough,  over  a  long 
slop  of  boggy  ground,  enlivened,  however,  by  a  few  traces  of 
deer  having  crossed,  though  none  of  my  'chase.'  I  at  length 
passed  the  slope,  and  soon  topped  the  ridge,  and  was  repaid 
for  my  labor  by  a  view  of  glen,  and  wood,  and  water  so 
beautiful,  that  I  sat  down  to  gaze  at  it,  though  anxious  to  get 
forward. 

"  While  I  lay  above  the  lake,  the  day  suddenly  changed, 
and  heavy  wreaths  of  mist  came  down  the  mountain  sides  in 
rapid  succession.  They  reached  me  soon,  and  I  was  inclosed 
in  an  atmosphere  through  which  I  could  not  see  twenty  yards. 
It  was  very  cold,  too,  and  I  was  obliged  to  move,  though 
scarcely  well  knowing  whither.  I  followed  the  course  of  the 
lake,  and  afterwards  of  the  stream  which  flowed  from  it,  for 
some  time.  Now  and  then  a  grouse  would  rise  close  to  me, 
and,  flying  a  few  yards,  light  again  on  a  hillock,  crowing  and 
croaking  at  the  intruder.  The  heron,  in  the  darkness,  came 
flapping  his  great  wings  close  past  me ;  I  almost  fancied  I 


256  THRILLING  ADVENTURES.        , 

could  feel  the  movements  they  caused  in  the  air.  Nothing 
could  be  done  in  such  weather,  and  I  was  not  sure  that  I  might 
not  be  going  away  from  my  object.  It  was  getting  late,  too, 
and  I  had  made  up  my  mind  that  my  most  prudent  plan  was 
to  arrange  a  bivouac  before  it  became  quite  dark.  My  wallet 
was  empty,  except  a  few  crumbs,  the  remains  of  my  morn- 
ing's baking.  It  was  necessary  to  provide  food ;  and  just  as 
the  necessity  occurred  to  me,  I  heard,  through  the  mist,  the 
call  of  a  cock  grouse  as  he  lighted  close  to  me.  I  contrived 
to  get  his  head  between  me  and  the  sky,  as  he  was  strutting 
and  croaking  on  a  hillock  close  at  hand ;  and  aiming  at 
where  his  body  ought  be,  I  fired  my  rifle.  On  going  up  to 
the  place,  I  found  I  had  not  only  killed  him,  but  also  his  mate, 
whom  I  had  not  seen.  It  was  a  commencement  of  good  luck. 
Sitting  down,  I  speedily  skinned  my  birds,  and  took  them 
down  to  the  burn  to  wash  them  before  cooking.  In  crossing 
a  sandy  spot  beside  the  burn,  I  came  upon — could  I  believe 
my  eyes  ? — '  the  track.'  Like  Robinson  Crusoe  in  the  same 
circumstances,  I  started  back,  but  was  speedily  at  work  taking 
my  information.  There  were  prints  enough  to  show  the  hart 
had  crossed  at  a  walk,  leisurely.  It  must  have  been  lately, 
for  it  was  since  the  burn  had  returned  to  its  natural  size, 
after  the  last  night's  flood.  But  nothing  could  be  done  till 
morning,  so  I  set  about  my  cooking ;  and  having,  after  some 
time,  succeeded  in  lighting  a  fire,  while  my  grouse  were  slowly 
broiling,  I  pulled  a  quantity  of  heather,  which  I  spread  in  a 
corner,  a  little  protected  by  an  overhanging  rock  ;  I  spread 
my  plaid  upon  it,  and  over  the  plaid  built  another  layer  of 
heather.  My  supper  ended,  which  was  not  epicurean,  I 
crawled  into  my  nest  under  my  plaid,  and,  in  spite  of  a  rapid 
change  from  a  dull  foggy  sky  to  a  clear  keen  frost,  was  soon 
sound  asleep. 

"  Saturday. — Need  I  say  my  first  object  was  to  go  down 
and  examine  the  track  anew.  There  was  no  mistake.  It  was 
impossible  to  doubt  that  '  the  muckle  hart  of  Benmore'  had 


THE  MUCKLE  HART  OF  BENMORE.          257 

actually  walked  through  that  burn  a  few  hours  before  me, 
and  in  the  same  direction.  I  followed  the  track  and  breasted 
the  opposite  hill.  Looking  round  from  its  summit,  it  appeared 
to  me  a  familiar  scene,  and,  on  considering  a  moment,  I  found 
I  overlooked,  from  a  different  quarter,  the  very  same  rocky 
plain  and  the  two  black  lochs  where  I  had  seen  my  chase  three 
days  before.  I  had  not  gazed  many  minutes,  when  I  saw  a 
deer  lying  on  a  black  hillock  which  was  quite  open.  I  lay 
down  immediately,  and  with  my  glass  made  out  at  once  the 
object  of  all  my  wandering.  My  joy  was  somewhat  abated  by 
his  position,  which  was  not  easily  approachable.  My  first 
object,  however,  was  to  withdraw  myself  out  of  his  sight, 
which  I  did  by  crawling  backwards  down  a  little  bank,  till 
only  the  tips  of  his  horns  were  visible,  and  they  served  to 
show  me  that  he  continued  still.  As  he  lay  looking  towards 
me,  he  commanded  with  his  eye  three-fourths  of  the  circle ; 
and  the  other  quarter,  where  one  might  have  got  in  upon  him 
under  cover  of  the  little  hillock,  was  unsafe,  from  the  wind 
blowing  in  that  direction.  A  burn  ran  between  him  and  me, 
one  turn  of  which  seemed  to  come  within  two  hundred  yards 
of  him.  It  was  my  only  chance  ;  so,  retreating  about  a  half 
a  mile,  I  got  into  the  burn  in  hidden  ground,  and  then  crept 
up  its  channel  with  such  caution,  that  I  never  allowed  myself 
a  sight  of  more  than  the  tips  of  his  horns  till  I  reached  the 
nearest  bend  to  him.  There  looking  through  a  tuft  of  rushes, 
I  had  a  perfect  view  of  the  noble  animal,  lying  on  the  open 
hillock,  lazily  stretched  out  at  length,  and  only  moving  now 
and  then  to  scratch  his  flank  with  his  horns.  I  watched  him 
for  fully  an  hour,  the  water  up  to  my  knees  all  the  time.  At 
length  he  stirred,  gathered  his  legs  together,  and  rose ;  and 
arching  his  back,  he  stretched  himself  just  as  a  bullock  does 
when  rising  from  his  night's  lair.  My  heart  throbbed,  as 
turning  all  round  he  seemed  to  try  the  wind  for  his  security, 
and  then  walked  straight  to  the  burn,  at  a  point  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  me.  I  was  much  tempted,  but 

22* 


258  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

had  resolution  to  reserve  my  fire,  reflecting  that  I  had  but  one 
barrel.  He  went  into  the  burn  at  a  deep  pool,  and,  standing 
in  it  up  to  his  knees,  took  a  long  drink.  I  stooped  to  put 
on  a  new  copper  cap  and  prick  the  nipple  of  my  rifle ;  and 
on  looking  up  again,  he  was  gone  !  I  was  in  despair,  and  was 
on  the  point  of  moving  rashly,  when  I  saw  his  horns  again 
appear  a  little  father  off,  but  not  more  than  fifty  yards  from 
the  burn.  By  and  by  they  lowered,  and  I  judged  he  was 
lying  down.  '  Your  mine  at  last,'  I  said  ;  and  I  crept  cau- 
tiously up  the  bed  of  the  burn  till  I  was  opposite  where  he 
had  lain  down. 

"  I  carefully,  and  inch  by  inch,- placed  my  rifle  over  the  bank, 
and  then  ventured  to  look  along  it.  I  could  see  only  his 
horns,  but  within  an  easy  shot.  I  was  afraid  to  move  higher 
up  the  bed  of  the  burn,  where  I  could  have  seen  his  body ; 
the  direction  of  the  wind  made  that  dangerous.  I  took  breath 
for  a  moment,  and  screwed  up  my  nerves ;  and  then  with  my 
cocked  rifle  at  my  shoulder,  and  my  finger  on  the  trigger,  I 
kicked  a  stone,  which  splashed  into  the  water.  He  started 
up  instantly ;  but  exposed  only  his  front  towards  me.  Still 
he  was  very  near,  scarcely  fifty  yards,  and  I  fired  at  his 
throat  just  where  it  joins  the  head.  He  dropped  on  his  knees 
to  my  shot ;  but  was  up  again  in  a  moment,  and  went  stag- 
gering up  the  hill.  Oh  for  one  hour  of  Bran  !  Although  he 
kept  on  at  a  mad  pace,  I  saw  he  was  becoming  too  weak  for 
the  hill.  He  swerved,  and  turned  back  to  the  burn,  and  came 
headlong  down  within  ten  yards  of  me,  tumbling  into  it  appa- 
rently dead.  Feeling  confident,  from  the  place  my  ball  had 
taken  effect,  that  he  was  dead,  I  threw  down  my  rifle,  and 
went  up  to  him  with  my  hunting  knife.  I  found  him  stretched 
out,  and,  as  I  thought,  dying ;  and  I  laid  hold  of  his  horns 
to  bleed  him.  I  had  scarcely  touched  him  when  he  sprang 
up,  flinging  me  backwards  on  the  stones.  It  was  an  awkward 
position.  I  was  stunned  by  the  violent  fall ;  behind  me  a 
steep  bank  of  seven  or  eight  feet  high ;  before  me  was  the 


THE  MUCKLE  HART  OF  BENMORE.         261 

bleeding  stag,  with  his  horns  levelled  at  me,  and  cutting  me 
off  from  my  rifle.  In  desperation  I  moved,  when  he  instantly 
charged,  but  fortunately  tumbled  ere  he  quite  reached  me. 
He  drew  back  again  like  a  ram  about  to  butt,  and  then  stood 
still  with  his  head  lowered,  and  his  eyes  bloody  and  swelled, 
glaring  upon  me.  We  stood  mutually  at  bay  for  some  time, 
till,  recovering  myself,  I  jumped  out  of  the  burn  so  suddenly, 
that  he  had  not  time  to  run  at  me,  and  from  the  bank  above 
I  dashed  my  plaid  over  his  head  and  eyes,  and  threw  myself 
upon  him.  I  cannot  account  for  my  folly,  and  it  had  nearly 
cost  me  dear.  The  poor  beast  struggled  desperately,  and 
his  remaining  strength  foiled  me  in  every  attempt  to  stab 
him  in  front ;  and  he  at  length  made  off,  tumbling  me  down, 
but  carrying  with  him  a  stab  in  the  leg  which  lamed  him.  I 
ran  and  picked  up  my  rifle,  and  then  kept  him  in  view  as  he 
rushed  down  the  burn  on  three  legs  towards  the  loch.  He 
took  the  water,  and  stood  at  bay  up  to  his  chest  in  it. 

"  As  soon  as  he  halted,  I  commenced  loading  my  rifle, 
when,  to  my  dismay,  I  found  that  all  the  balls  I  had  re- 
maining were  for  my  double-barrel,  and  were  a  size  too  large 
for  my  rifle.  I  sat  down  and  commenced  scraping  one  to  the 
right  size,  an  operation  that  seemed  interminable.  At  last  I 
succeeded ;  and  having  loaded,  the  poor  stag  remaining  per- 
fectly still,  I  went  up  within  twenty  yards  of  him,  and  shot 
him  through  the  head.  He  turned  over  and  floated,  perfectly 
dead.  I  waded  in  and  towed  him  ashore,  and  then  had  lei- 
sure to  look  at  my  wounds  and  bruises,  which  were  not  serious, 
except  my  shin-bone,  which  was  scraped  from  ankle  to  knee 
by  his  horn.  I  soon  had  cleaned  my  quarry,  and  stowed  him 
away  as  safely  as  I  could,  and  then  turned  down  the  glen  at 
a  gay  pace.  I  found  Donald,  with  Bran,  reposing  at  Malcolm's 
sheiling ;  and  for  all  reproaches  on  his  misconduct,  I  was 
satisfied  with  sending  him  to  bring  home  *  the  muckle  hart  of 
Benmore,'  a  duty  which  he  performed  before  nightfall." 


THE  following  account  of  a  tiger  hunt,  in  Java,  is  given 
by  a  sailor,  in  a  letter  to  his  brother,  dated  December,  1832. 
At  seven  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  October  2d,  I  set  out 
with  my  two  sons,  a  Berzoekie  man  in  my  service,  and  about 
fifty  servants,  armed  with  pikes  and  hogspears  ;  I  was  armed 
with  a  gun  and  a  spear.  The  tiger  for  which  we  were  on 
the  look-out  was  in  the  valley  about  two  miles  and  a  half  dis- 
tant from  our  port.  The  moment  we  arrived  near  him,  we 
commenced  operations.  About  nine  o'clock  we  effectually 
drove^  him  out  of  his  den  of  underwood ;  and  while  he  was 
doubling  the  brow  of  a  hill,  I  had  a  rap  at  him,  which  took 
effect.  He  now  made  over  to  the  west  side  of  the  valley, 
and  into  a  thorny  bush.  In  half  an  hour  we  started  him 
again ;  he  then  ran  along  the  western  side  of  the  valley  into 
(262) 


REMARKABLE  TIGER  HUNT.  265 

another  bush :  several  spears  were  now  thrown  at  him,  but 
without  effect. 

We  followed  and  soon  roused  him  again ;  he  now  made 
a  start  for  his  old  station  on  the  east  side  of  the  valley ;  he 
seemed  very  much  fagged  on  account  of  the  heat  and  a  want 
of  water,  and  it  became  difficult  to  arouse  him  ;  several  spears 
flew  after  him,  but  they  fell  short.  All  this  time,  although 
pretty  close,  I  could  not  get  a  shot  at  him,  sometimes  on  ac- 
count of  my  people,  and  at  others  not  wishing  to  throw  a  shot 
away,  not  knowing  how  soon  I  might  require  it  in  self-de- 
fence. Close  to  his  heels,  we  followed  him  across  the  valley. 
He  now  took  shelter  in  a  bush,  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  where  he 
remained  growling  for  some  time.  He  saw  that  he  was  in 
danger,  so  he  made  a  start  from  that  bush  to  another,  just 
at  my  feet,  and  lay  for  at  least  ten  -minutes,  not  ten  yards 
from  where  I  was  with  one  of  my  sons,  who  was  making  an 
opening  into  the  bush,  so  that  at  length  I  got  a  clear  sight 
of  him ;  but  before  we  could  finish  our  task,  he  made  a  spring 
with  the  intention  to  clear  the  heads  of  three  men  who  were  to 
my  right,  at  about  ten  fathoms  distance,  but  they  received  and 
put  three  pikes  and  a  hogspear  into  him  :  the  former  entered 
his  belly,  the  latter  his  right  shoulder ;  this  he  took  with 
him  but  the  pike  staves  all  broke. 

This  shock  to  his  frame  brought  him  down  on  one  of  the 
men,  on  whom  he  left  the  marks  of  three  of  his  paws,  but  he 
got  into  a  bush  before  I  could  turn  round  to  have  a  rap  at 
him.  This  was  his  last  move.  It  was  now  just  twelve  at 
noon.  We  gathered  up  our  broken  pike  staves,  and  bound 
up  the  wounds  of  our  man,  and  sent  him  off  to  the  mills,  to 
await  our  arrival ;  but  determined  not  to  give  up  our  prize, 
we  remained  quiet  for  about  an  hour,  to  rest  ourselves. 
During  this  time  he  growled  once,  but  faintly ;  he  was  at 
that  time  drawing  the  hogspear  out  of  his  right  shoulder. 
This  gave  him  much  pain,  and  made  him  growl.  We  now 
saw  the  bush  shake  very  much,  so  again  we  began  opera- 


266 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


tions,  by  cutting  down  the  small  bushes  to  get  a  sight  of 
him ;  this  was  soon  done,  and  I  put  a  shot  into  his  head. 
Our  work  was  now  done,  so  we  went  up  to  him. 

I  had  him  carried  home.  His  weight  was  three  hundred 
and  thirty-three  pounds  ;  he  stood  three  feet  three  inches 
high ;  length  of  body  six  feet,  tail  two  feet  four  inches.  I 
then  dressed  the  wounded  hunter.  He  was  fourteen  days 
under  my  hands.  He  had  ten  wounds  on  his  body,  left  arm, 
and  head.  This,  you  will  say  is  no  children's  play. 


/L 


bill]  Mfolbes. 


WOLVES  are  still  numerous  in  some  parts  of  France,  where 
they  commit  dreadful  devastations.  Even  in  the  thickly  in- 
habited districts,  these  ferocious  animals  are  sometimes  seen, 
and  the  people  are  forced  to  be  on  their  guard. 

A  few  winters  ago,  Monsieur  de  B.,  an  advocate  of  Dijon, 
was  returning  rather  late  from  a  shooting  excursion,  near  that 
town,  when  his  dog,  a  small  pointer,  who  was  a  few  paces  in 
advance,  ran  suddenly  back  as  if  terrified. 

The  spot  was  a  long  hollow,  formed  by  two  sandbanks  ; 
and  as  far  as  his  eye  could  reach,  he  could  discover  no  cause 
for  the  animal's  sudden  terror,  which  sent  him  crouching  to 
his  feet.  He  proceeded  cautiously,  however,  cocking  both 
barrels  of  his  gun  ;  for  upwards  of  two  hundred  yards  no 

23*  (269) 


270  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

cause  of  alarm  presented  itself.  Indeed,  he  had  forgotten 
the  circumstance,  and  rested  the  gun  across  his  shoulder, 
when  the  dog  again  fell  behind  him  with  an  affrightened  yell. 
A  wolf  stood  on  the  sandbank,  about  thirty  yards  before  him. 
Armed  only  with  partridge  shot,  Monsieur  de  B.  considered 
it  most  prudent  to  retreat,  and  gain  a  cross  road  in  the  rear. 
He  had  not  returned  many  yards,  when  to  his  horror  and 
astonishment,  he  beheld  another  wolf  barring  his  path  on  that 
side.  Neither  as  yet  had  ventured  to  attack  him,  and,  as  he 
advanced,  one  retired;  but  the  other  would  draw  closer  to 
his  heels.  His  situation  became  critical,  for  night  was  ap- 
proaching, and  he  feared  that  with  it  more  assailants  would 
be  down  upon  him ;  and  to  this  they  both  howled  as  if  to 
call  a  reinforcement,  and  the  sportsman  at  length  felt  certain 
they  were  answered  from  the  hills.  No  time  was  to  be  lost ; 
he  rapidly  advanced  on  one,  and  when  within  twenty  paces 
fired  both  barrels  at  him.  The  wolf  fell,  wounded,  and  the 
other  cleared  the  bank;  Monsieur  B.,  following  his  example, 
took  to  his  heels,  and  never  took  breath  till  he  entered  Dijon. 
On  examining  the  snow  the  next  morning,  it  was  ascertained 
that  he  had  been  hotly  pursued  to  the  very  gates.  As  for 
the  wounded  wolf,  a  few  bones  were  all  that  his  comrades 
had  left  of  him. 

The  wolves  of  Russia  are  noted  for  their  sagacity.  In  the 
thinly  settled  districts,  they  are  very  abundant.  The  public 
roads  are  rendered  dangerous  by  the  number  and  daring 
character  of  these  fierce  animals.  Travellers  are  often  at- 
tacked, and  if  they  are  not  well-armed,  or  near  to  some  vil- 
lage, their  destruction  is  certain.  One  day  some  peasants 
were  travelling  in  a  sleigh,  when  they  were  suddenly  attacked 
by  a  large  number  of  wolves.  The  house,  at  which  they  in- 
tended to  stop,  was  about  two  miles  from  the  place  where 
they  were  attacked.  They  were  without  weapons  of  any 
kind,  and  their  only  hope  was  in  flight.  Keeping  the  wolves 
back  as  well  as  they  could,  they  whipped  the  horses,  and 


ADVENTURES  WITH  WOLVES.  271 

drove  for  the  house  with  the  utmost  speed.  The  savage 
beasts  pursued,  occasionally  jumping  upon  the  sleigh,  and 
snapping  their  greedy  jaws  as  they  ran  by  the  side  of  the 
horses.  The  party  reached  the  house.  The  gate  of  the  yard 
happened  to  be  closed ;  but  the  almost  maddened  horses 
dashed  it  open,  and  the  party  entered  the  yard.  Nine  wolves 
entered  with  them.  Fortunately  the  gate  swung  shut,  and 
the  wolves  were  caught  in  a  trap.  From  being  the  most 
ferocious  of  beasts,  the  nature  of  the  animals,  now  that  they 
found  an  escape  impossible,  completely  changed.  So  far,  in- 
deed, from  attempting  to  molest  any  one,  they  allowed  them- 
selves to  be  slaughtered  without  resistance.  The  escape  of 
the  party  was  miraculous. 

The  wolf  shares  with  the  vulture  in  feasting  upon  the 
bodies  of  those  who  are  slain  in  battle,  and  left  unburied  on 
the  field.  Sometimes  they  will  scratch  away  the  earth,  and 
tear  the  bodies  from  their  rude  graves.  It  is  an  awful  sight 
to  see  these  fierce  animals  making  a  meal  at  midnight  upon 
human  flesh  and  bones. 


THE  interior  of  South  Africa  teems  with  game  of  all  kinds 
and  sizes.  Elephants,  rhinoceroses,  giraffes,  lions,  hyenas, 
antelopes  of  vanous  kinds,  buffaloes,  and  many  other  animals 
are  to  be  found  in  their  perfection.  Adventurous  hunters 
from  the  Cape  Colony  frequently  make  long  excursions  into 
this  region,  and  though  they  are  forced  to  encounter  many 
dangers,  their  toils  are  better  rewarded  than  in  any  other 
part  of  the  world.  Some  of  these  bold  men  have  given  to 
the  world  narratives  of  their  expeditions.  Of  these  the  most 
conspicuous,  is  Roualeyn  Gordon  Cumming,  whose  exploits 
stamp  him  as  the  first  of  hunters.  His  first  meeting  and 
battle  with  wild  elephants  is  thus  narrated. 

(272) 


HUNTING  ADVENTURES  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA.  275 

I  resolved  at  night  to  watch  the  water,  and  try  what  could 
be  done  by  night  shooting.  I  accordingly  ordered  the  usual 
watchirig-hole  to  be  constructed ;  and  having  placed  my 
bedding  in  it,  repaired  thither  shortly  after  sundown.  I  had 
lain  about  two  hours  in  the  hole,  when  I  heard  a  low  rum- 
bling noise  like  distant  thunder,  caused,  as  the  Bechuanas 
affirmed,  by  the  bowels  of  the  elephants  which  were  approach- 
ing the  fountain.  I  lay  on  my  back,  with  my  mouth  open, 
attentively  listening,  and  could  hear  them  ploughing  up  the 
earth  with  their  tusks. 

Presently  they  walked  up  to  the  water,  and  commenced 
drinking  within  fifty  yards  of  me.  They  approached  with 
so  quiet  a  step,  that  I  fancied  it  was  the  footsteps  of  jackals 
which  I  heard ;  and  I  was  not  aware  of  their  presence  until 
I  heard  the  water,  which  they  had  drawn  up  in  their  trunks 
and  were  pouring  into  their  mouths,  dropping  into  the  foun- 
tain. I  then  peeped  from  my  hiding-place,  with  a  beating 
heart,  and  beheld  two  enormous  bull  elephants,  which  looked 
like  two  great  castles,  standing  before  me.  I  could  not  see 
very  distinctly,  for  there  was  only  starlight. 

Having  lain  on  my  breast  some  time  taking  my  aim,  I  let 
fly  at  one  of  the  elephants,  using  the  Dutch  rifle  carrying  six 
to  the  pound.  The  ball  told  loudly  on  his  shoulder,  and 
uttering  a  loud  cry,  he  stumbled  through  the  fountain,  when 
both  made  off  in  different  directions.  All  night  large  herds 
of  zebras,  and  blue  wildebeests  capered  around  me,  coming 
sometimes  within  a  few  yards.  Several  parties  of  rhinoce- 
roses also  made  their  appearance.  I  felt  a  little  apprehensive 
that  lions  might  visit  the  fountain,  and  every  time  that  hyenas 
or  jackals  lapped  the  water  I  looked  forth,  but  no  lions  ap- 
peared. At  length  I  fell  into  a  sound  sleep,  nor  did  I  again 
raise  my  head  until  the  bright  star  of  morn  had  shot  far 
above  the  eastern  horizon. 

On  the  27th,  as  day  dawned,  I  left  my  shooting-hole,  and 
proceeded  to  inspect  the  track  of  my  wounded  elephant. 


276 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


ZEBRA. 


After  following  it  for  some  distance  I  came  to  an  abrupt 
hillock,  and  fancying  that  from  the  summit  a  good  view  might 
be  obtained  of  the  surrounding  country,  I  left  my  followers 
to  seek  the  track,  while  I  ascended.  I  did  not  raise  my 
eyes  from  the  ground  until  I  had  reached  the  highest  pin- 
nacle of  rock.  I  then  looked  east,  and  to  my  inexpressible 
gratification  I  beheld  a  troop  of  nine  or  ten  elephants  quietly 
browsing  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  me.  I  allowed  my- 
self only  one  look  at  them,  and  then  rushed  down  to  warn 
my  followers  to  be  silent. 

A  council  of  war  was  hastily  held,  the  result  of  which  was 
my  ordering  Isaac  to  ride  hard  to  camp,  with  instructions  to 
return  as  quickly  as  possible,  accompanied  by  Kleinboy,  and 
to  bring  me  my  dogs,  the  large  Dutch  rifle,  and  a  fresh  horse. 
I  once  more  ascended  the  hillock  to  feast  my  eyes  upon  the 
enchanting  sight  before  me ;  and  drawing  out  my  spyglass, 
I  narrowly  observed  the  motions  of  the  elephants.  The  herd 
consisted  entirely  of  females,  several  of  which  were  followed 
by  small  calves. 


HUNTING  ADVENTURES  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA.  277 

Presently,  on  reconnoitring  the  surrounding  country,  I  dis- 
covered a  second  herd,  consisting  of  five  bull  elephants,  which 
were  quietly  feeding  about  a  mile  to  the  northward.  The 
cows  were  feeding  towards  a  rocky  ridge  that  stretched  away 
from  the  base  of  the  hillock  on  which  I  stood.  Burning  with 
impatience  to  commence  the  attack,  I  resolved  to  try  the 
stalking  system  with  these,  and  to  hunt  the  troop  of  bulls 
with  dogs  and  horses.  Having  thus  decided,  I  directed  the 
guides  to  watch  the  elephants  from  the  summit  of  the  hillock, 
and  with  a  beating  heart  I  approached  them.  The  ground 
and  wind  favoring  me,  I  soon  gained  the  rocky  ridge  towards 
which  they  were  feeding.  They  were  now  within  one  hun- 
dred yards,  and  I  resolved  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  their 
movements  for  a  while  before  I  fired.  They  continued  to 
feed  slowly  before  me,  breaking  the  branches  from  the  trees 
with  their  trunks,  and  eating  the  leaves  and  tender  shoots. 
I  soon  selected  the  finest  in  the  herd,  and  kept  my  eye  on 
her  in  particular.  At  length  two  of  the  troop  had  walked 
slowly  past  at  about  sixty  yards,  and  the  one  which  I  had 
selected  was  feeding  with  two  others  on  a  thorny  tree  in  front 
of  me. 

My  arm  was  now  as  steady  as  the  rock  on  which  it  rested, 
so  taking  a  deliberate  aim,  I  let  fly  at  her  behind  the  eye. 
She  got  it  hard  and  sharp  just  where  I  aimed,  but  it  did  not 
seem  to  affect  her  much.  Uttering  a  loud  cry,  she  wheeled 
about,  when  I  gave  her  the  second  ball,  close  behind  the 
shoulder.  All  the  elephants  uttered  a  strange  rumbling 
noise,  and  made  off  in  a  line  to  the  northward  at  a  brisk 
ambling  pace,  their  huge  fan-like  ears  flapping  in  the  ratio 
of  their  speed.  I  did  not  wait  to  load,  but  ran  back  to  the 
hillock  to  obtain  a  view.  On  gaining  its  summit,  the  guides 
pointed  out  the  elephants ;  they  were  standing  in  a  grove  of 
shady  trees,  but  the  wounded  one  was  some  distance  behind 
with  another  elephant,  doubtless  its  particular  friend,  who 
was  endeavoring  to  assist  it. 

24 


278  THKILLING  ADVENTUKES. 

These  elephants  had  probably  never  before  heard  the  report 
of  a  gun ;  and  having  neither  seen  nor  smelt  me,  they  were 
unaware  of  the  presence  of  man,  and  did  not  seem  inclined 
to  go  any  farther.  Presently,  the  men  hove  in  sight,  bring- 
ing the  dogs ;  and,  when  these  came  up,  I  waited  some  time 
before  commencing  the  attack,  that  the  dogs  and  horses 
might  recover  their  wind.  We  then  rode  slowly  towards  the 
elephants,  and  had  advanced  within  two  hundred  yards  of 
them,  when,  the  ground  being  open  they  observed  us,  and  made 
off  in  an  easterly  direction  ;  but  the  wounded  one  immediately 
dropped  astern,  and  the  next  moment  she  was  surrounded  by 
the  dogs,  which,  barking  angrily,  seemed  to  engross  her 
attention. 

Having  placed  myself  between  her  and  the  retreating 
troop,  I  dismounted  to  fire  within  forty  yards  of  her,  in  open 
ground.  My  horse,  Colesburg,  was  extremely  afraid  of  the 
elephants,  and  gave  me  much  trouble,  jerking  my  arm  when 
I  tried  to  fire.  At  length  I  let  fly ;  but,  on  endeavoring  to 
regain  my  saddle,  Colesburg  declined  to  allow  me  to  mount ; 
and  when  I  tried  to  lead  him,  and  run  for  it,  he  only  backed 
towards  the  wounded  elephant. 

At  this  moment  I  heard  another  elephant  close  behind ; 
and  on  looking  about  I  beheld  the  "friend,"  with  uplifted 
trunk,  charging  down  upon  me  at  top  speed,  shrilly  trumpet- 
ing, and  following  an  old  black  pointer,  named  Schwart,  that 
was  perfectly  deaf,  and  trotted  along  before  the  enraged  ele- 
phant, quite  unaware  of  what  was  behind  him.  I  felt'  cer- 
tain that  she  would  have  either  me  or  my  horse.  I  however 
determined  not  to  relinquish  my  steed,  but  to  hold  on  to  my 
bridle.  My  men,  who  of  course,  kept  at  a  safe  distance, 
stood  aghast  with  their  mouths  open,  and  for  a  few  seconds 
my  position  was  not  an  enviable  one.  Fortunately,  however, 
the  dogs  took  off  the  attention  of  the  elephants ;  and  just  as 
they  were  upon  me,  I  managed  to  spring  into  the  saddle, 
where  I  was  safe.  As  I  turned  my  back  to  the  mount,  the 


HUNTING  ADVENTURES  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA.  281 

elephants  were  so  near  that  I  really  expected  to  feel  one  of 
their  trunks  lay  hold  of  me.  I  rode  up  to  Kleinboy  for  my 
double-barrelled  two-grooved  rifle ;  he  and  Isaac  were  pale 
and  almost  speechless  with  fright.  Returning  to  the  charge, 
I  was  soon  once  more  alongside,  and,  firing  from  the  saddle, 
I  sent  another  brace  of  bullets  into  the  wounded  elephant. 
Colesburg  was  extremely  unsteady,  and  destroyed  the  correct- 
ness of  my  aim. 

The  "friend"  now  seemed  resolved  to  do  some  mischief, 
and  charged  me  furiously,  pursuing  me  to  a  distance  of 
several  hundred  yards.  I  therefore  deemed  it  proper  to  give 
her  a  gentle  hint  to  act  less  officiously,  and,  accordingly,  hav- 
ing loaded,  I  approached  within  thirty  yards,  and  gave  it  her 
right  and  left,  behind  the  shoulder,  upon  which  she  at  once 
made  off  with  drooping  trunk,  evidently  with  a  mortal  wound. 
I  never  recur  to  this  my  first  day's  elephant  shooting  without 
regretting  my  folly  in  securing  only  one  elephant.  The  first 
was  now  dying,  and  could  not  leave  the  ground,  and  the 
second  was  also  mortally  wounded,  and  I  had  only  to  follow 
and  finish  her ;  but  I  foolishly  allowed  her  to  escape,  while 
I  amused  myself  with  the  first,  which  kept  walking  backward, 
a»d  standing  by  every  tree  she  passed.  Two  more  shots 
finished  her  ;  on  receiving  them  she  tossed  her  trunk  up  and 
down  two  or  three  times,  and  falling  on  her  broadside  against 
a  thorny  tree,  which  yielded  like  grass  before  her  enormous 
weight,  she  uttered  a  deep,  hoarse  groan  and  expired.  This 
was  a  very  handsome  old  cow  elephant,  and  was  decidedly 
the  best  in  the  troop.  She  was  in  excellent  condition,  and 
carried  a  long  and  perfect  pair  of  tusks.  I  was  in  high  spirits 
at  my  success,  and  felt  so  perfectly  satisfied  with  having 
killed  one,  that,  although  it  was  still  early  in  the  day,  and 
my  horses  were  fresh,  I  allowed  the  troop  of  five  bulls  to 
remain  unmolested,  foolishly  trusting  to  fall  in  with  them 
next  day.  How  little  did  I  then  know  of  the  habits  of  ele- 

24* 


282 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


phants,  or  the  rules  to  be  adopted  in  hunting  them,  or  deem 
it  probable  that  I  should  never  see  them  more. 

Having  knee-haltered  our  horses,  we  set  to  work  with  our 
knives  and  assagais  to  prepare  the  skull  for  the  hatchet,  in 
order  to  cut  out  the  tusks,  nearly  half  the  length  of  which,  I 
may  mention,  is  embedded  in  bone  sockets  in  the  fore  part  of 
the  skull.  To  cut  out  the  tusks  of  a  cow  elephant  requires 
barely  one-fifth  of  the  labor  requisite  to  cut  out  those  of  a 
bull ;  and  when  the  sun  went  down  we  had  managed  by  our 
combined  eiforts  to  cut  out  one  of  the  tusks  of  my  first  ele- 
phant, with  which  we  triumphantly  returned,  having  left  the 
guides  in  charge  of  the  carcass,  where  they  volunteered  to 
take  up  their  quarters  for  the  night. 


isfytycj  foi* 


MOST  of  the  African  tribes  excel  in  address  and  intrepidity. 
A  remarkable  instance  is  given  by  Dr.  Tarns.  While  on  the 
banks  of  the  Bengo,  said  to  abound  in  alligators,  crocodiles, 
and  enormous  snakes,  which  often  lurk  in  the  impenetrable 
jungle  of  reeds,  he  wished  to  know  whether  the  river  really 
contained  any  of  the  former  ;  and  for  a  small  reward,  a  negro 
fisherman  offered  to  catch  one. 

The  intrepid  fisherman  immediately  killed  a  sucking-pig, 
and  ran  a  moderately  thick  stick  through  the  entire  length 
of  its  body,  which  he  cut  open.  To  the  middle  of  this  he 
attached  an  iron  chain,  eight  or  ten  feet  long,  by  means  of  a 
clamp,  and  then  further  elongated  the  chain  by  fastening  a 
cord  to  it.  Armed  with  two  strong  barbed  iron  lances,  he 

(283) 


284  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

went  on  board  his  light  canoe,  and  put  out  a  short  distance 
from  the  shore,  while  we  remained  in  the  hut  watching  his 
proceedings  with  great  interest  and  curiosity.  At  a  venture, 
he  threw  the  pig  into  the  river,  and  scarcely  a  minute  had 
elapsed,  ere  a  pair  of  enormous,  widely  extended  jaws  rose 
above  the  surface,  and  quickly  disappeared  with  the  treache- 
rous prize.  The  fisherman  took  advantage  of  this  moment, 
to  fasten  the  end  of  the  rope  to  his  canoe,  and,  also,  to  attach 
his  two  lances  by  ropes  to  the  boat.  The  voracious  animal 
soon  devoured  his  booty,  and  drew  the  boat,  which  of  course, 
followed  his  every  movement,  first  to  one  side  of  the  river, 
and  then  to  the  other,  always  seeking  for  the  deepest  water. 
The  rope  being  continually  drawn  tighter  and  tighter,  the 
alligator  darted  with  great  violence  above  the  surface,  where- 
upon the  negro  vigorously  thrust  the  lance  at  his  head,  and 
the  monster  again  dived.  Certain  of  approaching  victory, 
he  stood  calmly  with  uplifted  lance,  watching  for  an  oppor- 
tunity of  throwing  it  again,  whenever  his  adversary  might 
rise  above  the  surface.  We  were  much  astonished  at  the 
man's  patient  assiduity,  for  there  was  once  a  pause  of  half 
an  hour,  during  which  the  animal  did  not  appear,  but  as  he 
gradually  became  weaker,  he  rose  more  frequently,  and  at 
last  always  with  his  jaws  wide  open.  The  numerous  wounds 
inflicted  by  the  lance,  and  consequent  loss  of  blood,  so  com- 
pletely exhausted  the  poor  alligator,  that  he  had  great  diffi- 
culty in  drawing  the  boat  after  him  ;  but  suddenly  collecting 
his  remaining  strength,  he  pulled  the  boat  on  one  side  with 
such  violence,  that  the  fisherman  fell  into  the  water.  In  an 
instant  he  dexterously  flung  himself  into  the  boat,  and  con- 
tinued to  strike  his  antagonist  with  the  harpoon.  The  combat 
lasted  nearly  an  hour  and  a  half,  when  the  alligator  yielded, 
without  resistance,  to  the  superior  force  of  the  negro,  who 
gradually  brought  his  boat  alongside  of  us,  and  then  suddenly 
leaping  on  shore,  fastened  the  rope  to  a  cocoa-palm  in  front 
of  his  hut.  He  then  fearlessly  approached  the  animal,  which 


FISHING  FOR  ALLIGATORS. 


285 


was  nearly  covered  with  water,  and  deprived  him  of  all  pos- 
sibility of  escape,  by  inflicting  several  deep  wounds.  Life 
was  not  extinct,  when  the  alligator  was  abandoned  to  his  fate, 
but  it  was  devoted  to  inevitable  death ;  and  when  we  gave 
the  man  his  promised  guerdon,  he  observed,  coolly,  that  he 
would  gladly  exhibit  a  similar  proof  of  his  skill  every  day. 
This  animal  was  twenty  feet  long. 


Jfye 


of 


IT  was  in  the  country  of  the  Alps,  in  Styria,  where,  as  in 
Switzerland,  the  mountain  scenery  is  of  the  most  grand  and 
picturesque  kind,  where  the  tallest  mountains  are  clad  in  the 
eternal  snow,  where  mountain  torrents  dash  into  deep  abysses, 
and  the  ibex  and  the  chamois  leap  from  glacier  to  glacier, 
and  from  rock  to  rock  ;  and  where  the  terrible  avalanche 
tumbles  from  the  heights  and  sends  the  villagers  and  their 
flocks  running  for  life.  It  was  in  this  country  that  the  tra- 
veller, Khol,  listened  to  the  following  story  of  a  chamois 
hunter. 

"Ah  !  write  it  all  down,  and  I'll  tell  you  something  about 
the  cunning  of  the  chamois,  that  no  one  has  heard  before," 
said  a  Styrian  chamois  hunter,  to  Mr.  Khol  ;  and  truth  he 
(286) 


AN  AVALANCHE. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  CHAMOIS  HUNTER.  289 

told  him  a  most  wonderful  and  interesting  story,  which  shows 
not  only  the  cunning  of  that  animal,  but  the  wonderful  and 
great  love  of  its  young  ones  which  God  has  implanted  in  its 
breast. 

The  previous  year  he  had  found  a  geis  or  female  chamois 
ready  to  bring  forth.  He  had  followed  her  for  eight  days, 
to  see  where  she  would  deposit  her  young.  Sometimes  he 
took  off  his  shoes,  and  climbed  on  his  bare  feet,  like  a  cat ; 
and  once,  when  he  had  to  clamber  up  the  steep  face  of  a  rock, 
he  cut  off  all  the  buttons  from  his  clothes,  that  they  might 
not  make  a  jingle.  At  last  he  discovered  the  two  young 
ones  in  a  niche  at  the  top  of  a  high  rock,  in  a  hath,  as  the 
hunters  call  it.  The  little  ones  were  sporting  round  the  mo- 
ther, who  glanced,  from  time  to  time,  down  into  the  valley, 
to  watch  for  any  hostile  approach.  To  avoid  being  seen,  our 
hunter  made  a  great  circuit,  and  so  reached  a  path  that  led 
to  the  kath.  Exactly  in  front  of  the  niche  the  rocks  de- 
scended perpendicularly  to  an  immense  depth.  At  the  back 
was  another  steep  descent.  Some  fragments  of  rock  formed 
a  kind  of  bridge  between  the  large  masses  ;  but  these  were 
placed  too  high  to  be  accessible  to  the  little  ones,  and  could 
only  be  available  for  their  mother.  The  hunter  rejoiced  as 
he  contemplated  this  position,  and  pressed  upon  the  animals 
whose  escape  seemed  impossible.  When  the  old  one  caught 
sight  of  him,  she  measured  with  a  glance  the  unfavorable  dis- 
position of  the  rock,  she  sprang  upon  the  hunter  with  a  fury 
that  maternal  love  will  breathe  into  the  most  timid  creatures. 
The  danger  of  such  attacks  is  less  from  the  thrust,  which  is 
not  very  violent,  than  from  the  endeavor  of  the  animal  to 
fix  the  point  of  its  horns,  which  are  bent  like  fish-hooks,  in 
the  legs  of  the  hunter,  and  then  press  him  back  down  the 
precipices. 

It  happens  sometimes  that  the  chamois  and  the  hunter  thus 
entangled,  rail  into  the  abyss  together.  Our  hunter  was  in 
no  condition  to  fire  at  the  advancing  chamois,  as  he  found 

25 


290  THRILLING   ADVENTURES. 

both  hands  necessary  to  sustain  himself  on  the  narrow  path ; 
he  therefore  warded  off  the  blows  as  well  as  he  could  with  his 
feet,  and  kept  still  advancing.  The  anguish  of  the  mother 
increased.  She  dashed  back  to  her  young,  coursed  round  them 
with  her  cries,  as  if  to  warn  them  of  their  danger,  and  then 
leaped  up  the  before  named  fragments  of  rock,  from  which 
the  second  but  more  difficult  egress  from  the  grotto  was  to 
be  won.  She  then  leaped  down  again  to  her  little  ones,  and 
seemed  to  encourage  them  to  attempt  the  leap.  In  vain  the 
little  creatures  sprang  and  wounded  their  foreheads  against 
the  rocks  that  were  too  high  for  them,  and  in  vain  the  mother 
repeated  again  and  again  her  firm  and  graceful  leap,  to  show 
them  the  way.  All  this  was  the  work  of  a  few  minutes  whilst 
the  hunter  had  again  advanced  some  steps  nearer.  He  was 
just  preparing  to  make  the  last  effort,  when  the  following  pic- 
ture, which  was  the  particular  circumstance  he  referred  to  in 
speaking  of  the  chamois'  cunning,  met  his  astonished  eyes  : 
The  old  chamois,  fixing  her  legs  firmly  on  the  rock  behind, 
had  stretched  her  body  to  its  utmost  length,  and  planted  her 
fore  feet  on  the  rock  above,  thus  forming  a  temporary  bridge 
of  her  back.  The  little  ones  in  a  minute  seeming  to  compre- 
hend the  design  of  their  mother,  sprang  upon  her  like  cats, 
and  thus  reached  the  point  of  safety  ;  the  picture  only  lasted 
long  enough  to  enable  their  pursuer  to  make  the  last  step. 
He  sprang  into  the  niche,  thinking  himself  now  sure  of  the 
young  chamois,  but  all  three  were  off  with  the  speed  of  the 
wind,  and  a  couple  of  shots  that  he  sent  after  the  fugitives 
merely  announced  by  their  echo  to  the  surrounding  rocks 
that  he  had  missed  his  game. 


IN  the  immense  forests  in  Maine,  there  are  many  wild 
beasts,  which  are  fierce  enough  to  afford  the  most  exciting 
sport  for  the  hunter.  Bears  abound  ;  the  catamount,  the 
wild  cat,  the  lynx,  and  above  all  the  great  panther  of  North 
America  are  found  here,  as  well  as  the  deer  and  the  moose. 
The  hunters'  traps  are  often  robbed  by  the  fisher,  a  small, 
but  fierce  and  active  little  animal,  that  lives  on  the  smaller 
quadrupeds,  such  as  rabbits  and  squirrels,  and  receives  its 
name  from  its  supposed  ability  to  catch  fish  like  an  otter. 

The  business  of  cutting  logs  for  timber  and  boards  is  pur- 
sued by  a  hardy  race  of  men,  who  pass  whole  winters  in  the 
the  forests  of  Maine,  in  huts  constructed  by  themselves. 
They  have  frequent  adventures  with  the  wild  beasts.  The 


25' 


(293) 


294 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


THE  FISHER. 

best  account  of  these  "loggers"  is  given  by  Mr.  Springer, 
in  his  "Forest  Life  and  Forest  Trees,"  lately  published  by 
Messrs.  Harper  and  Brothers.  We  copy  from  this  work  a 
specimen  of  their  adventures.  The  large  animal,  whose 
tracks  were  seen,  was  evidently  the  great  panther. 

"  Our  winter  quarters  and  employment  not  unfrequently 
bring  us  into  collision  with  wild  animals  of  a  formidable  cha- 
racter. Of  these  the  "Indian  devil,"  or  a  specimen  of  the 
catamount,  is  chief.  We  often  track  animals  of  whom  we 
have  never  gained  a  sight. 

"  Passing  along  one  day  in  pursuit  of  timber,  my  attention 
was  arrested  by  a  track  of  uncommon  size  and  appearance. 
It  was  round  and  about  the  size  of  a  hat  crown,  and  pene- 
trated the  snow  where  it  would  bear  me.  I  noticed  where 
the  creature  stepped  over  a  large  fallen  tree  about  two  feet 
and  a  half  high.  A  light  snow  several  inches  deep  covered 


HUNTING  IN  MAINE.  295 

the  log,  which  he  did  not  even  brush  with  his  belly  as  he 
passed  over  it.  From  the  nature  of  the  track,  I  knew  he  did 
not  jump.  His  legs  could  not  have  been  less  than  thfle  feet 
in  length.  After  this  discovery,  I  made  my  way  to  where 
the  rest  of  the  crew  were  at  work  with  right  good  will.  A 
similar  track,  of  probably  this  same  animal,  has  been  seen  by 
fnany  different  persons  and  parties,  at  places  quite  remote 
from  each  other,  for  several  winters ;  but  no  one,  that  I  am 
aware  of,  is  satisfied  that  he  has  yet  been  seen,  unless,  indeed, 
by  two  or  three  lads  while  on  the  shore  of  the  Grand  Lake, 
who  were  fishing  out  of  holes  cut  in  the  ice  near  the  shore. 
About  half  a  mile  from  them  a  long  point  made  out  into  the 
lake,  running  parallel  with  the  shore,  which  formed  the 
boundary  of  a  deep  cove.  The  ice  had  become  quite  weak ; 
still,  it  bore  them  with  safety.  While  busily  engaged  with 
their  fishing-tackle,  their  attention  was  arrested  by  a  loud, 
splashing  noise,  as  though  some  one  was  struggling  in  the 
water ;  and,  on  looking  for  the  cause,  they  saw  a  large  ani- 
mal endeavoring  to  make  the  main  land,  crossing  directly 
from  the  point  toward  them.  He  continued  to  break  in  every 
few  rods,  when  he  would  spring  out  again  with  the  agility  of 
a  cat.  After  getting  out,  he  would  stand  and  look  round, 
then  venture  forward,  and  break  through  as  before.  The 
description  they  gave  of  his  appearance  was  that  he  looked 
like  an  immense  cat ;  appeared  to  be  about  four  feet  high, 
and  five  or  six  feet  long,  thick  set  about  the  head  and  shoulders, 
resembling  somewhat  in  this  particular  the  bull-dog.  His 
tail  was  very  long,  reaching  down  quite  to  the  ice,  and  curled 
up  at  the  end ;  this  he  moved  about  just  as  a  cat  moves  its 
tail.  Waiting  but  a  moment  to  gain  this  general  view,  they 
made  for  home  with  all  possible  dispatch,  about  one  mile  dis- 
tant. Several  men,  with  guns  and  axes,  immediately  started 
for  the  lake,  but  nothing  further  was  seen  of  him.  The 
manner  in  which  the  ice  was  broken  fully  confirmed  the 


296  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

statement  made  by  the  boys  respecting  the  size  of  this  un- 
known creature. 

"  Tnere  is  an  animal  in  the  deep  recesses  of  our  forests, 
evidently  belonging  to  the  feline  race,  which,  on  account  of 
its  ferocity,  is  significantly  called  'Indian  Devil' — in  the 
Indian  language,  '  the  Lunk  Soos ;'  a  terror  to  the  Indians, 
and  the  only  animal  in  New  England  of  which  they  stand  in 
dread.  You  may  speak  of  the  moose,  the  bear,  and  even  the 
wolf,  and  the  red  man  is  ready  for  the  chase  and  the  encounter. 
But  name  the  object  of  his  dread,  and  he  will  significantly 
shake  his  head,  while  he  exclaims,  4  He  all  one  debil !' 

"  An  individual  by  the  name  of  Smith  met  with  the  follow- 
ing adventure  in  an  encounter  with  one  of  these  animals  on  the 
Arromueto,  while  on  his  way  to  join  a  crew  engaged  in 
timber-making  in  the  woods. 

"  He  had  nearly  reached  the  place  of  encampment,  when 
he  came  suddenly  upon  one  of  these  ferocious  animals.  There 
was  no  chance  for  retreat,  neither  had  he  time  for  reflection 
on  the  best  method  of  defence  or  escape.  As  he  had  no 
arms  or  other  weapons  of  defence,  the  first  impulse,  in  this 
truly  fearful  position,  unfortunately,  perhaps,  was  to  spring 
into  a  small  tree  near  by ;  but  he  had  scarcely  ascended  his 
length  when  the  desperate  creature,  probably  rendered  still 
more  fierce  by  the  promptings  of  hunger,  sprang  upon  and 
seized  him  by  the  heel.  Smith,  however,  after  having  his 
foot  badly  bitten,  disengaged  it  from  the  shoe,  which  was 
firmly  clinched  in  the  creature's  teeth,  and  let  him  drop.  The 
moment  he  was  disengaged,  Smith  sprang  for  a  more  secure 
position,  and  the  animal  at  the  same  time  leaped  to  another 
large  tree,  about  ten  feet  distant,  up  which  he  ascended  to 
an  elevation  equal  to  that  of  his  victim,  from  which  he  threw 
himself  upon  him,  firmly  fixing  his  teeth  in  the  calf  of  his 
leg.  Hanging  suspended  thus  until  the  flesh,  insufficient  to 
sustain  the  weight,  gave  way,  he  dropped  again  to  the  ground, 
carrying  a  portion  of  flesh  in  his  mouth.  Having  greedily 


HUNTING  IN  MAINE. 


297 


THE  LYNX,  OR  INDIAN  DEVIL. 

devoured  this  morsel,  he  bounded  again  up  the  opposite  tree, 
and  from  thence  upon  Smith,  in  this  manner  renewing  his 
attacks,  and  tearing  away  the  flesh  in  mouthfuls  from  his 
legs.  During  this  agonizing  operation,  Smith  contrived  to 
cut  a  limb  from  the  tree,  to  which  he  managed  to  bind  his 
jack-knife,  with  which  he  could  now  assail  his  enemy  at 
every  leap.  He  succeeded  thus  in  wounding  him  so  badly 
that  at  length  his  attacks  were  discontinued,  and  he  finally 
disappeared  in  the  dense  forest. 

"During  the  encounter,  Smith  had  exerted  his  voice  to 
the  utmost  to  alarm  the  crew,  who,  he  hoped,  might  be  within 
hail.  He  was  heard,  and  in  a  short  time  several  of  the  crew 
reached  the  place,  but  not  in  time  to  save  him  from  the 
dreadful  encounter.  The  sight  was  truly  appalling.  His 
garments  were  not  only  rent  from  him,  but  the  flesh  literally 
torn  from  his  legs,  exposing  even  the  bone  and  the  sinews. 
It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  he  made  the  descent  of  the 
tree.  Exhausted  through  loss  of  blood,  and  overcome  by 


298  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

fright  and  exertion,  he  sunk  upon  the  ground  and  immediately 
fainted ;  but  the  application  of  snow  immediately  restored 
him  to  consciousness.  Preparing  a  litter  from  poles  and 
boughs,  they  conveyed  him  to  the  camp,  washed  and  dressed 
his  wounds  as  well  as  circumstances  would  allow,  and  as  soon 
as  possible,  removed  him  to  the  settlement,  where  medical 
aid  was  procured.  After  a  protracted  period  of  confinement, 
he  gradually  recovered  from  his  wounds,  though  still  carrying 
terrible  scars,  and  sustaining  irreparable  injury.  Such  des- 
perate encounters  are,  however,  of  rare  occurrence,  though 
collisions  less  sanguinary  are  not  unfrequent. 

"  On  one  occasion,  we  tracked  .one  of  those  animals  where 
we  had  the  day  before  been  at  work.  From  appearances,  he 
seemed  to  have  something  unusual  attached  to  one  of  his  fore 
feet,  which  we  judged  to  be  a  common  steel  strap.  Return- 
ing to  the  camp  for  the  gun  and  a  lunch,  two  men  started  in 
pursuit.  They  followed  him  three  days  before  overtaking 
him.  In  one  place  on  the  route  they  measured  a  bound  of 
fifteen  feet,  which  he  made  to  take  a  rabbit,  which  he  caught 
and  devoured,  leaving  only  small  portions  of  the  hide  and  fur 
of  his  victim.  From  the  course  travelled,  it  was  evident  that 
he  was  aware  of  his  pursuers,  whom  he  unquestionably  de- 
sired to  avoid.  On  the  third  day  they  came  in  sight  of  him 
for  the  first  time.  No  longer  retreating  before  his  pursuers, 
he  now  turned  upon  them.  Aware  that  they  could  have  but 
one  shot,  it  being  impossible  to  reload  before  he  would  be 
upon  them,  they  suffered  him  to  approach  very  near,  to  make 
their  aim  more  certain.  The  forest  echoed  with  the  report 
of  the  discharge ;  the  shot  took  effect,  and  a  furious  scuffle 
followed.  The  snow  flew,  while  the  enraged  and  furious 
growl  and  gnashing  teeth  mingled  with  the  clattering  trap, 
and  the  echo  of  the  powerful  blows  inflicted  upon  his  head 
with  the  shivered  breech  of  the  gun,  under  which  he  yielded 
his  life  to  his  superior  pursuers. 

"  But  there  is  no  animal  among  us  with  whom  encounters 


HUNTING  IN  MAINE.  299 

are  so  frequent  as  the  common  black  bear.  Their  superior 
strength,  the  skill  with  which  they  ward  off  blows,  and  even 
wrench  an  instrument  from  the  hands  of  an  assailant,  and 
their  tenacity  of  life,  render  them  really  a  formidable  anta- 
gonist. We  have  sometimes  been  diverted,  as  well  as  severely 
annoyed,  by  their  thievish  tricks.  In  one  instance  we  were 
followed  several  days  by  one  of  them  on  our  passage  up  the 
river,  who  seemed  equally  bent  on  mischief  and  plunder. 
The  first  of  our  acquaintance  with  him  occurred  while  en- 
camped at  the  mouth  of  a  small  stream,  whose  channel  we 
were  improving  by  the  removal  of  large  rocks  which  obstructed 
log-driving.  Our  camp  was  merely  temporary,  so  that  all 
our  goods  were  exposed.  While  we  were  asleep  during  the 
night,  he  came  upon  our  premises,  and  selected  from  the  bag- 
gage a  Bundle  containing  all  the  winter  clothing  of  one  of  the 
men — boots,  shaving  tools,  &c. 

"  His  curiosity  was  too  great  to  allow  of  a  far  removal  of 
the  pack  without  an  examination  of  its  contents ;  and  never 
did  deputy  inspector  or  constable  perform  a  more  thorough 
search.  Duties  on  the  package  were  inadmissible ;  the  goods 
were  esteemed  contraband,  and  were  accordingly  confiscated. 
The  wearing  .apparel  was  torn  into  shreds.  There  was  a 
pair  of  stout  cow-hide  boots,  of  which  he  tried  the  flavor ; 
they  were  chewed  up  and  spoiled.  The  razor  did  not  escape 
his  inquisitiveness.  Whether  he  attempted  to  shave  we  say 
not,  but  he  tested  its  palatableness  by  chewing  the  handle." 


Jhe 


THE  jaguar  is  the  largest,  most  powerful,  and  the  most 
ferocious  of  the  feline  tribe,  which  are  natives  of  the  Ameri- 
can continent.  It  is  often  called  the  American  tiger ;  and 
in  manners  it  bears  no  inconsiderable*  resemblance  to  that 
formidable  animal,  and  even  its  size  and  strength  are  not 
much  less.  In  some  of  the  accounts,  however,  it  has  been 
confounded  with  the  larger  spotted  cats  of  the  eastern  conti- 
nent, from  which  it  is  readily  distinguished,  both  by  the  pe- 
culiarity of  its  markings,  and  by  its  form  and  manners,  which 
are  more  to  be  depended  on,  though  the  markings  are  fully 
as  striking.  The  greater  number  of  the  spots,  at  least  upon 
(300) 


THE  JAGUAR.  301 

the  flanks  and  sides  of  the  jaguar,  are  regular  ocelli,  or  eye 
spots ;  that  is,  they  consist  of  an  external  circle  of  black, 
with  a  spot  of  the  same  in  the  middle,  and  the  intermediate 
space  of  the  same  color  as  the  rest  of  the  ground  on  which 
the  spots  are  placed.  The  spots  upon  the  cats  of  the  east 
have  sometimes  a  paler  portion  within  the  hlack,  but  we  be 
lieve  no  specimen  has  occurred  in  them  with  a  black  spot  in 
the  centre ;  and  though  jaguars  are  subject  to  considerable 
variety  in  color,  and  also  in  the  form  and  intensity  of  the 
spots,  we  believe  that  no  specimen  of  them  has  been  found 
entirely  destitute  of  spots  consisting  of  a  black  circumference 
and  a  black  centre.  The  spots,  more  especially  on  the 
haunches  and  shoulders,  sometimes  have  the  external  circle 
broken,  so  that  they  appear,  five  or  six  in  number  ranged  at 
equal  distances  round  a  central  one.  Those  on  the  ridge  of 
the  back  are  in  general  almost  confluent,  while  along  the 
sides  they  arrange  in  four  nearly  longitudinal  rows.  They 
are  often,  however,  mixed  with  transverse  bars  of  a  paler 
color,  having  some  resemblance  to  the  stripes  on  the  tiger. 
The  upper  part  of  the  animal  is  in  general  of  a  rich  yellow 
color,  and  the  spots  of  an  intense  black.  The  under  part  is 
white,  marked  with  regular  spots  and  transverse  bars  of 
black.  The  skin  of  this  animal  is  indeed  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  of  the  whole  race,  though  there  is  probably  less 
uniformity  in  the  markings  than  in  those  of  any  of  the  others. 
No  two  individuals  are  marked  exactly  in  the  same  manner, 
and  generally  the  two  sides  of  the  same  individual  are  marked 
differently. 

There  are  one  or  two  varieties  of  the  jaguar  mentioned  by 
writers  on  the  zoology  of  South  America,  but  there  seems  to 
be  no  difference  between  them,  excepting  in  size  and  color, 
and,  as  is  the  case  with  the  tiger  in  the  east,  the  larger  spe- 
cimens are  met  with  in  the  richest  places.  They  are  chiefly 
found  in  the  thick  forests,  near  the  banks  of  the  great  rivers, 
and  seldom,  if  ever,  to  the  southward  of  Paraguay.  They 

26 


302  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

are  solitary  animals,  or,  at  all  events,  they  are  found  only  in 
pairs  ;  but  it  is  not  ascertained  whether  their  pairing  is  con- 
stant, like  that  of  the  lion,  or  only  temporary,  as  is  the  case 
with  the  tiger.  Analogy  would,  however,  lead  us  to  suppose 
that,  as  they  agree  most  with  the  tiger  in  appearance  and  in 
locality,  they  also  agree  most  with  it  in  all  their  habits. 

As  the  jaguar  is  not  quite  so  powerful  an  animal  as  the 
tiger,  and  not  nearly  so  active,  even  in  proportion  to  its 
strength,  it  is  not  in  any  situation  so  formidable  to  human 
beings  during  the  daylight ;  but,  at  night,  it  is  a  dangerous 
animal,  whether  met  with  in  its  native  forests,  or  when,  as  it 
sometimes  does,  it  makes  an  inroad  upon  the  remote  settle- 
ments. Generally  speaking,  a  fire  or  a  light  will  keep  it  at 
a  distance ;  but  when  it  is  very  hungry,  or  otherwise  greatly 
excited,  it  is  said  to  bid  the  same  defiance  to  these  as  the 
tiger  does. 

Its  usual  time  for  preying  is  during  the  night,  or  at  least 
when  the  sun  is  down,  and  it  lies  in  wait  to  attack,  and  springs 
upon  the  back  of  its  prey.  'As  the  largest  native  mammalia 
of  this  continent  are  but  of  inconsiderable  size,  the  jaguar 
finds  them  a  very  easy  conquest ;  and  since  the  introduction 
of  cattle  and  horses  by  Europeans,  and  the  great  multipli- 
cation especially  of  the  former,  in  a  wild  state,  the  jaguar 
gets  nobler  game  than  peccaries,  and  game  more  obedient  to 
his  claws  than  armadilloes.  The  full  grown  bulls  are  as  for- 
midable to  him  as  the  buffaloes  are  to  the  lions  in  Southern 
Africa ;  but  the  cows  and  the  young  he  readily  masters ;  and 
even  the  horse  is  said  to  be  a  favorite  prey  with  him.  His 
method  is  to  lie  in  wait,  and  to  spring,  uttering  a  yell  which, 
though  not  very  agreeable,  is  not  so  horrible  as  that  of  the 
tiger,  alighting  on  the  shoulders  of  the  larger  animals ;  then, 
holding  on  with  the  hind  feet,  he  advances  his  fore  paws, 
and,  grasping  across  the  nostrils  with  the  one,  and  the  chin 
with  the  other,  closes  the  nose  and  the  mouth,  and,  straining 
his  body  together  at  the  same  time,  at  once  suffocates  the 


JAGUAR  ATTACKING  A  HORSE. 


THE  JAGUAR.  »  305 

animal  and  dislocates  the  neck.  Though  the  march  of  the 
jaguar  is  not  very  swift,  and  he  is  unable  to  carry  such  a 
load,  either  in  the  teeth  or  across  the  shoulders,  as  the  tiger, 
yet  he  can  drag  the  carcass  of  a  horse  for  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, and  even  swim  with  it  across  a  river. 

The  strength  and  the  predatory  disposition  of  the  jaguar 
make  him  a  subject  of  great  dislike  in  a  country  where  wild 
cattle  form  a  considerable  portion  of  the  wealth  of  the  inha- 
bitants, and  therefore,  among  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
haunts,  the  hunting  of  him  becomes  an  object  of  advantage, 
as  well  as  of  glory.  This  is  usually  done  by  dogs — not  that 
they  can  master  this  powerful  animal,  or  in  going  in  upon 
him  to  make  the  attempt ;  but  he  is  not  so  staunch  as  the 
lion,  and  especially  the  tiger,  for  the  dogs  put  him  to  flight, 
from  which  he  does  not  rally  so  as  to  act  an  offensive  part. 
He  is  not  habitually  a  climber ;  but  if  there  be  a  sloping  tree 
within  reach,  he  mounts  into  that,  and  is  dispatched  by  spears 
or  musket-shot,  according  as  he  is  better  situated  for  the  one 
or  the  other.  Some  of  the  native  tribes,  too,  are  expert  at 
dispatching  him  with  their  arrows,  prepared  with  wourali 
poison,  and  delivered  from  the  bow  or  blown  from  a  tube. 
When  he  takes  refuge  in  a  hole  of  the  earth,  he  is  either 
worked  out,  or  the  Indians  tempt  him  with  one  hand  wrapped 
in  a  skin,  while  they  spear  him  with  the  other ;  but  this  is  an 
exploit  which  requires  great  courage  and  presence  of  mind. 
As  is  the  case  with  the  lion  in  Southern  Africa,  and  the  tiger 
in  most  parts  of  India,  the  jaguar  is  now  nearly  exterminated 
from  all  parts  of  South  America. 


Sihtffe 


WE  extract  from  Mr.  Cumming's  "  Hunter's  Life  in  South 
Africa,"  the  following  account  of  an  adventure  of  his  in  the 
way  of  giraffe  hunting. 

On  the  25th,  at  dawn,  we  harnessed  our  wagons  and  pro- 
ceeded about  five  hours  in  a  north-easterly  course,  through  a 
boundless  open  country  sparingly  adorned  with  dwarfish  old 
trees.  In  the  distance  the  long-sought  mountains  of  Ba- 
mangwato  at  length  loomed  blue  before  me.  We  halted  be- 
side a  glorious  fountain,  which  at  once  made  me  forget  all 


THE  GIRAFFE 


GIRAFFE  HUNTING.  309 

the  cares  and  difficulties  I  had  encountered  in  reaching  it. 
The  name  of  this  fountain  was  Massouey,  but  I  at  once 
christened  it  "the  Elephant's  own  Fountain."  This  was  a 
very  remarkable  spot  on  the  southern  borders  of  endless  ele- 
phant forests,  at  which  I  had  at  length  arrived.  The  fountain 
was  deep  and  strong,  situated  in  a  hollow  at  the  eastern  ex- 
tremity of  an  extensive  marsh,  and  its  margin  was  surrounded 
by  a  level  stratum  of  solid  old  red  sand  stone.  Here  and 
three  lay  a  thick  layer  of  soil  upon  the  rock,  and  this  was 
packed  flat  with  the  fresh  tracks  of  elephants.  Around  the 
water's  edge  the  very  rock  was  worn  down  by  the  gigantic 
feet  which  for  ages  had  trodden  there. 

The  soil  of  the  surrounding  country  was  white  and  yellow 
sand,  but  grass,  trees,  and  bushes  were  abundant.  From  the 
borders  of  the  fountain  a  hundred  well-trodden  elephant  foot- 
paths led  away  in  every  direction,  like  the  radii  of  a  circle. 
The  breadth  of  these  paths  was  about  three  feet ;  those  lead- 
ing to  the  northward  and  easfc  were  the  most  frequented,  the 
country  in  those  directions  being  well  wooded.  We  drew  up 
the  wagons  on  a  hillock  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  water. 
This  position  commanded  a  good  view  of  any  game  that  might 
approach  to  drink.  I  had  just  cooked  my  breakfast,  and 
commenced  to  feed,  when  I  heard  my  men  exclaim,  "  Almag- 
tig  keek  de  ghroote  clomp  cameel;"  and,  raising  my  eyes 
from  my  sassayby  stew,  I  beheld  a  truly  beautiful  and  very 
unusual  scene.  From  the  margin  of  the  fountain  there  ex- 
tended an  open  level  marsh,  without  a  tree  or  bush,  that 
stretched  away  about  a  mile  to  the  northward,  where  it  was 
bounded  by  extensive  groves  of  wide-spreading  mimosas. 
Up  the  middle  of  this  marsh  stalked  a  troop  of  ten  colossal 
giraffes,  flanked  by  two  large  herds  of  blue  wildebeests  and 
zebras,  with  an  advanced  guard  of  pallahs.  They  were  all 
coming  to  the  fountain  to  drink,  and  would  be  within  rifle- 
shot of  the  wagons  before  I  could  finish  my  breakfast.  I, 
however,  continued  to  swallow  my  food  with  the  utmost  ex- 


310  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

pedition,  having  directed  my  men  to  catch  and  saddle  Coles- 
burg.  In  a  few  minutes  the  giraffes  were  slowly  advancing 
within  two  hundred  yards,  stretching  their  graceful  necks, 
and  gazing  in  wonder  at  the  unwonted  wagons.  Grasping 
my  rifle,  I  now  mounted  Colesburg,  and  rode  slowly  towards 
them.  They  continued  gazing  at  the  wagons  until  I  was 
within  one  hundred  yards  of  them,  when,  whisking  their  long 
tails  over  their  rumps,  they  made  off  at  an  easy  canter.  As 
I  pressed  upon  them  they  increased  their  pace ;  but  Coles- 
burg  had  much  the  speed  of  them,  and  before  we  had  pro- 
ceeded half  a  mile  I  was  riding  by  the  shoulder  of  the  dark 
chestnut  old  bull,  whose  head  towered  high  above  the  rest. 
Letting  fly  at  the  gallop,  I  wounded  him  behind  the  shoulder ; 
soon  after  which  I  broke  him  from  the  herd,  and  presently, 
going  a  head  of  him,  he  came  to  a  stand.  I  then  gave  him 
a  second  bullet  somewhere  near  the  first.  These  two  shots 
had  taken  effect,  and  he  was  now  in  my  power,  but  I  would 
not  lay  him  low  so  far  from  canip,  so,  having  waited  until  he 
had  regained  his  breath,  I  drove  him  half-way  back  towards 
the  wagons.  Here  he  became  obstreperous  ;  so,  loading  one 
barrel,  and  pointing  my  rifle  towards  the  clouds,  I  shot  him 
in  the  throat,  when,  rearing  high,  he  fell  backwards  and  ex- 
pired. This  was  a  magnificent  specimen  of  the  giraffe, 
measuring  upwards  of  eighteen  feet  in  height.  I  stood  for 
nearly  half  an  hour  engrossed  in  the  contemplation  of  his 
extreme  beauty  and  gigantic  proportions  ;  and,  if  there  had 
been  no  elephants,  I  should  have  exclaimed,  like  Duke  Alex- 
ander of  Gordon,  when  he  killed  the  famous  old  stag  with 
seventeen  tine,  "Now  I  can  die  happy."  But  I  longed  for 
an  encounter  with  the  noble  elephants,  and  I  thought  little 
more  of  the  giraffe  than  if  I  had  killed  a  blauwbok  or  an  eland. 
In  the  afternoon  I  removed  my  wagons  to  a  correct  dis- 
tance from  the  fountain,  and  drew  them  up  among  some 
bushes  about  four  hundred  yards  to  leeward  of  the  water. 
In  the  evening  I  was  employed  in  manufacturing  hardened 


GIRAFFE  HUNTING. 


313 


bullets  for  the  elephants,  using  a  composition  of  one  of  pewter 
to  four  of  lead ;  and  I  had  just  completed  my  work  when  we 
heard  a  troop  of  elephants  splashing  and  trumpeting  in  the 
water.  This  to  me  was  a  joyful  sound ;  I  slept  little  that 
night. 

On  the  26th  I  arose  at  early  dawn,  and  having  fed  four  of 
the  horses  I  proceeded  with  Isaac  to  the  fountain  to  examine 
the  track  of  the  elephants  which  had  drunk  there  during  the 
night.  A  number  of  the  paths  contained  fresh  track  of  ele- 
phants of  all  sizes,  which  had  gone  from  the  fountain  in  dif- 
ferent directions.  We  reckoned  that  at  least  thirty  of  these 
gigantic  quadrupeds  had  visited  the  water  during  the  night. 


A  BLAUWBOK. 


27 


IN  the  western  part  x>f  the  United  States,  this  sport  is 
followed  both  by  the  Indians  and  the  whites  with  great  zeal 
and  success.  Indeed  so  many  of  them  are  killed  every  year 
that  fears  are  entertained  of  their  utter  extermination.  Mr. 
Catlin,  who  lived  much  among  the  Indians,  thus  speaks  of 
this  sport. 

The  buffalo  herds,  which  graze  in  almost  countless  numbers 
on  these  beautiful  prairies,  afford  the  Indians  an  abundance 
of  meat ;  and  so  much  is  it  preferred  to  all  other,  that  the 
deer,  the  elk,  and  the  antelope  sport  upon  the  prairies  in 
herds  in  the  greatest  security ;  as  the  Indians  seldom  kill 
them,  unless  they  want  their  skins  for  a  dress.  The  buffalo, 
or  more  correctly  speaking,  bison,  is  a  noble  animal  that 
(314) 


BISON  HUNTING.  317 


A  BISON. 

roams  over  the  vast  prairies,  from  the  borders  of  Mexico  on 
the  south,  to  Hudson's  Bay  on  the  north.  Their  size  is 
somewhat  above  that  of  our  common  bullock,  and  their  flesh 
of  a  delicious  flavor,  resembling  and  equalling  that  of  fat  beef. 
Their  flesh,  which  is  easily  procured,  furnishes  the  savages 
of  these  vast  regions  the  means  of  a  wholesome  and  good  sub- 
sistence^ and  they  live  almost  exclusively  upon  it — convert- 
ing their  skins,  horns,  hoofs,  and  bones  to  the  construction 
of  dresses,  shields,  bows,  &c.  The  buffalo  is  one  of  the  most 
formidable  and  frightful  looking  animals  in  the  world  when 
excited  to  resistance  ;  his  long  shaggy  mane  hangs  in  great 
profusion  over  his  neck  and  shoulders,  and  often  extends 
quite  down  to  the  ground.  The  cow  is  less  in  stature,  and 
less  ferocious ;  though  not  much  less  wild  and  frightful  in 
appearance. 

The  mode  in  which  the  Indians  kill  this  noble  animal  is 
spirited  and  thrilling  in  the  extreme.  I  have  almost  daily 
accompanied  parties  of  Indians  to  see  the  fun,  and  have  often 
shared  in  it  myself;  but  much  oftener  ran  my  horse  by  their 

27* 


318  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

A 

sides,  to  see  how  the  thing  was  done — to  study  the  modes 
and  expressions  of  these  splendid  scenes,  which  I  am  indus- 
triously putting  upon  canvass. 

They  are  all  (or  nearly  so)  killed  with  arrows  and  the 
lance,  while  at  full  speed  ;  and  the  reader  may  easily  imagine, 
that  these  scenes  afford  the  most  spirited  and  picturesque 
views  of  the  sporting  kind  that  can  possibly  be  seen. 

At  present  I  will  give  a  little  sketch  of  a  bit  of  fun  I  joined 
in  with  Mr.  M'Kenzie  and  a  number  of  his  men,  without  the 
company  or  aid  of  Indians.  Mr.  M'Kenzie's  table  from  day 
to  day  groans  under  the  weight  of  buffalo  tongues  and  beaver's 
tails,  and  other  luxuries  of  this  western  land.  He  has  within 
his  fort  a  spacious  ice-house,  in  which  he  preserves  his  meat 
for  any  length  of  time  required ;  and,  sometimes,  when  his 
larder  runs  low,  he  starts  out,  rallying  some  five  or  six  of 
his  best  hunters  (not  to  hunt,  but  to  "go  for  meat.")  He 
leads  the  party,  mounted  on  his  favorite  buffalo  horse  (i.  e. 
the  horse  amongst  his  whole  group  which  is  best  trained  to 
run  the  buffalo,)  trailing  a  light  and  short  gun  in  his  hand, 
such  an  one  as  he  can  most  easily  reload  whilst  his  horse  is 
at  full  speed. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  the  ice-house  yesterday  morning, 
which  caused  these  self-catering  gentlemen  to  cast  their  eyes 
with  a  wishful  look  over  the  prairies  ;  and  such  was  tfie  plight 
in  which  our  host  took  the  lead,  and  I,  and  then  Mons.  Char- 
don,  and  Ba'tiste  Defonde  and  Tullock  (who  is  a  trader 
amongst  the  Crows,  and  is  here  at  this  time,  with  a  large 
party  of  that  tribe,)  and  there  were  several  others  whose 
names  I  do  not  know. 

As  we  were  mounted  and  ready  to  start,  M'Kenzie  called 
up  some  four  or  five  of  his  men,  and  told  them  to  follow  im- 
mediately on  our  trail,  with  as  many  one-horse  carts,  which 
they  were  to  harness  up,  to  bring  home  the  meat ;  "  ferry 
them  across  the  river  in  a  scow,"  said  he,  "and  follow  our 
trail  through  the  bottom,  you  will  find  us  on  the  plain  yonder, 


BISON  HUNTING.  321 

between  the  Yellow  Stone  and  the  Missouri  rivers,  with  meat 
enough  to  load  you  home.  My  watch  on  yonder  bluff  has 
just  told  us  by  his  signals,  that  there  are  cattle  a  plenty  on 
that  spot,  and  we  are  going  there  as  fast  as  possible." 

We  all  crossed  the  river,  and  galloped  away  a  couple  of 
miles  or  so,  when  we  mounted  the  bluff;  and  to  be  sure,  as 
was  said,  there  was  in  full  view  of  us  a  fine  herd  of  some  four 
or  five  hundred  buffaloes,  perfectly  at  rest,  and  in  their  own 
estimation  (probably)  perfectly  secure.  Some  were  grazing, 
and  others  were  lying  down  sleeping ;  we  advanced  within  a 
mile  or  so  of  them  in  full  view,  and  came  to  a  halt.  Mons. 
Chardon  "tossed  the  feather"  (a  custom  always  observed,  to 
try  the  course  of  the  wind,)  and  we  commenced  "stripping" 
as  it  is  termed  (i.  e.  every  man  strips  himself  and  his  horse 
of  every  extraneous  and  unnecessary  appendage  of  dress,  &c., 
that  might  be  an  incumbrance  in  running ;)  hats  are  laid  off, 
and  coats,  and  bullet  pouches ;  sleeves  rolled  up,  a  handker- 
chief tied  tightly  round  the  head,  and  another  around  the 
waist — cartridges  are  prepared  and  placed  in  the  waistcoat 
pocket,  or  a  half  a  dozen  bullets  "thrown  into  the  mouth," 
&c.,  all  of  which  takes  up  some  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  and  is 
not,  in  appearance  or  in  effect,  unlike  a  council  of  war.  Our 
leader  lays  the  whole  plan  of  the  chase,  and  preliminaries  all 
fixed,  guns  charged  and  ramrods  in  our  hands,  we  mount  and 
start  off.  The  horses  are  all  trained  for  this  business,  and 
seem  to  enter  into  it  with  as  much  enthusiasm,  and  with  as 
restless  a  spirit  as  the  riders  themselves.  While  "stripping" 
and  mounting,  they  exhibit  the  most  restless  impatience ;  and 
when  "approaching" — (which  is,  all  of  us  abreast,  upon  a 
slow  walk,  and  in  a  straight  line  towards  the  herd,  until  they 
discover  us  and  run)  they  all  seem  to  have  caught  entirely 
the  spirit  of  the  chase,  for  the  laziest  nag  among  them  prances 
with  an  elasticity  in  his  step — champing  his  bit — his  ears 
erect — his  eyes  strained  out  of  his  head,  and  fixed  upon  the 
game  before  him,  whilst  he  trembles  under  the  saddle  of  his 


322  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

rider.  In  this  way  we  carefully  and  silently  marcned,  until 
within  some  forty  or  fifty  rods ;  when  the  herd  discovering 
us,  wheeled  and  laid  their  course  in  a  mass.  At  this  instant 
we  started !  (and  all  must  start,  for  no  one  could  check  the 
fury  of  those  steeds  at  that  moment  of  excitement,)  and  away 
all  sailed,  and  over  the  prairie  flew,  in  a  cloud  of  dust  which 
was  raised  by  their  trampling  hoofs.  M'Kenzie  was  foremost 
in  the  throng,  and  soon  dashed  off  amidst  the  dust  and  was 
out  of  sight — he  was  after  the  fattest  and  the  fastest.  I 
had  discovered  a  huge  bull  whose  shoulders  towered  above 
the  whole  band,  and  I  picked  my  way  through  the  crowd  to 
get  alongside  of  him.  I  went  not  for  "meat,"  but  for 
trophy  ;  I  wanted  his  head  and  horns.  I  dashed  along  through 
the  thundering  mass,  as  they  swept  away  over  the  plain, 
scarcely  able  to  tell  whether  I  was  on  a  buffalo's  back  or  my 
horse — hit,  and  hooked,  and  jostled  about,  till  at  length  1 
found  myself  alongside  of  my  game,  when  I  gave  him  a  shot, 
as  I  passed  him.  I  saw  guns  flash  in  several  directions  about 
me,  but  I  heard  them  not.  Amidst  the  trampling  throng, 
Mons.  Chardon  had  wounded  a  stately  bull,  and  at  this  mo- 
ment was  passing  him  again  with  his  piece  levelled  for  another 
shot ;  they  were  both  at  full  speed  and  I  also,  within  the 
reach  of  the  muzzle  of  my  gun,  when  the  bull  instantly 
turned  and  received  the  horse  upon  his  horns,  the  ground 
received  poor  Chardon,  who  made  a  frog's  leap  of  some  twenty 
yards  or  more  over  the  bull's  back,  and  almost  under  my 
horse's  heels.  I  wheeled  my  horse  as  soon  as  possible  and 
rode  back,  where  lay  poor  Chardon,  gasping  to  start  his 
breath  again  ;  and  within  a  few  paces  of  him  his  huge  victim, 
with  his  heels  high  in  the  air,  and  the  horse  lying  across  him. 
I  dismounted  instantly,  but  Chardon  was  raising  himself  on 
his  hands,  with  his  eyes  and  mouth  full  of  dirt,  and  feeling 
for  his  gun,  which  lay  about  thirty  feet  in  advance  of  him. 
"  Heaven  spare  you  !  are  you  hurt,  Chardon  ?"  "  Hi — hie — 
hie hie hie no hie no 


I 


BISON  HUNTING.  325 

no no,  believe  not.  Oh !  this  is  not  much,  Mons.  Cati- 
line— this  is  nothing  new — but  this  is  a  hard  piece  of  ground 
here — hie  —  oh!  hie!"  At  this  the  poor  fellow  fainted, 
but  in  a  few  moments  arose,  picked  up  his  gun,  took  his  horse 
by  the  bit ;  which  then  opened  its  eyes,  and  with  a  hie  and  a 
ugh — UGHK  ;  sprang  upon  its  feet — shook  off  the  dirt — and 
here  we  were,  all  upon  our  legs  again,  save  the  bull,  whose 
fate  had  been  more  sad  than  that  of  either. 

I  turned  my  eyes  in  the  direction  where  the  herd  had  gone, 
and  our  companions  in  pursuit,  and  nothing  could  be  seen  of 
them,  nor  indication,  except  the  cloud  of  dust  which  they  left 
behind  them.  At  a  little  distance  on  the  right,  however,  I 
beheld  my  huge  victim  endeavoring  to  make  as  much  head- 
way as  he  possibly  could,  from  this  dangerous  ground,  upon 
three  legs.  I  galloped  off  to  him,  and  at  my  approach  he 
wheeled  around — and  bristled  up  for  battle ;  he  seemed  to 
know  perfectly  well  that  he  could  not  escape  from  me,  and 
resolved  to  meet  his  enemy  and  death  as  bravely  as  possible. 

I  found  that  my  shot  had  entered  him  a  little  too  far  for- 
ward, breaking  one  of  his  shoulders,  and  lodging  in  his  breast, 
and  from  his  very  great  weight  it  was  impossible  for  him  to 
make  much  advance  upon  me.  As  I  rode  up  within  a  few 
paces  of  him,  he  would  bristle  up  with  fury  enough  in  his  looks 
alone,  almost  to  annihilate  me ;  and  making  one  lunge  at  me, 
would  fall  upon  his  neck  and  nose,  so  that  I  found  the  saga- 
city of  my  horse  alone  enough  to  keep  me  out  of  danger ;  and 
I  drew  from  my  pocket  my  sketch-book,  laid  my  gun  across 
my  lap,  and  commenced  taking  his  likeness.  He  soon  stif- 
fened up,  and  swelling  with  awful  vengeance,  which  was  sub- 
lime for  a  picture,  but  which  he  could  not  vent  upon  me.  I 
rode  around  him  and  sketched  him  in  numerous  attitudes ; 
sometimes  he  would  lie  down,  and  I  would  then  sketch  him ; 
then  throw  my  cap  at  him,  and  rousing  him  on  his  legs,  rally 
a  new  expression,  and  sketch  him  again. 

In  this  way  I  added  to  my  sketch-book  some  invaluable 

28 


326  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

sketches  of  this  grim-visaged  monster,  who  knew  not  that  he 
was  standing  for  his  likeness. 

No  man  on  earth  can  imagine  what  is  the  look  and  expres- 
sion of  such  a  subject  before  him  as  this  was.  I  defy  the 
world  to  produce  another  animal  that  can  look  so  frightful  as 
a  huge  buffalo  bull,  when  wounded  as  he  was,  turned  round 
for  battle,  and  swelling  with  rage ; — his  eyes  bloodshot,  and 
his  long  shaggy  mane  hanging  to  the  ground,  his  mouth  wide 
open,  and  his  horrid  rage  hissing  in  streams  of  smoke  and 
blood  from  his  mouth  and  through  his  nostrils,  as  he  is  bend- 
ing forward  to  spring  upon  his  assailant,  with  all  his  remain- 
ing strength. 

After  I  had  had  the  requisite  time  and  opportunity  for 
using  my  pencil,  M'Kenzie  and  his  companions  came  walking 
their  exhausted  horses  back  from  the  chase,  and  in  our  rear 
came  four  or  five  carts  to  carry  home  the  meat.  The  party 
met  from  all  quarters  around  me  and  my  buffalo  bull,  whom 
I  then  shot  in  the  head  and  finished.  And  being  seated 
together  for  a  few  minutes,  each  one  took  a  smoke  of  the  pipe, 
and  recited  his  exploits,  and  his  "  coups,"  or  deaths  ;  when 
all  parties  had  a  hearty  laugh  at  me,  as  a  novice,  for  having 
aimed  at  an  old  bull,  whose  flesh  was  not  suitable  for  food, 
and  the  carts  were  escorted  on  the  trail,  to  bring  away  the 
meat.  I  rode  back  with  Mr.  M'Kenzie,  who  pointed  out  five 
cows  which  he  had  killed,  and  all  of  them  selected  as  the 
fattest  and  sleekest  of  the  herd.  This  astonishing  feat  was 
all  performed  within  the  distance  of  one  mile — all  were  killed 
at  full  speed,  and  every  one  shot  through  the  heart.  In  the 
short  space  of  time  required  for  a  horse  under  "full  whip," 
to  run  the  distance  of  one  mile,  he  had  discharged  his  gun 
five,  and  loaded  it  four  times — selected  his  animals,  and  killed 
at  every  shot !  There  were  six  or  eight  others  killed  at  the 
same  time,  which  altogether  furnished,  as  will  be  seen,  abund- 
ance of  freight  for  the  carts ;  which  returned,  as  well  as 
several  packhorses,  loaded  with  the  choicest  parts,  which  were 


BISON  HUNTING. 


327 


cut  from  the  animals,  and  the  remainder  of  the  carcasses  left 
a  prey  for  the  wolves. 

Such  is  the  mode  by  which  white  men  live  in  this  country — 
such  the  way  in  which  they  get  their  food,  and  such  is  one 
of  their  delightful  amusements — at  the  hazard  of  every  bone 
in  one's  body,  to  feel  the  fine  and  thrilling  exhilaration  of 
the  chase  for  a  moment,  and  then  as  often  to  upbraid  and 
blame  himself  for  his  folly  and  imprudence. 


AMONG  the  various  modes  of  attacking  the  elephant,  we 
have  recently  noticed  one  practiced  by  certain  hunters  in 
India,  which  is  approaching  him  in  the  rear,  with  a  very 
heavy  sharp  cleaver,  and  giving  him  a  severe  cut  on  the  hind 
leg.  When  the  tenders  of  both  hind  legs  have  been  slashed  in 
this  manner,  he  falls  and  becomes  an  easy  prey  to  the  hunter. 

A  British  officer  not  long  since  described  a  hunt  after  these 
beasts  in  the  following  animated  style.  Early  one  afternoon 
the  Hottentots  arrived  with  the  oxen,  and  we  proceeded  with- 
out loss  of  time  to  the  eastward,  following  the  course  of  the 
mountains  through  very  high  grass,  and  passing  between  two 
conical  hills  of  singular  appearance,  which  stood  like  senti- 
nels on  either  hand.  After  crossing  six  inconsiderable 
(328) 


28* 


ELEPHANT  HUNTING.  331 

streams,  we  with  some  difficulty  gained  the  vicinity  of  a  re- 
markably abrupt  opening  in  the  range,  which  through  a  tele- 
scope appeared  to  afford  a  practicable  road  to  the  northward. 
.Both  our  wagons  stuck  fast  in  the  Saut  river,  and  were  with 
difficulty  extricated  by  the  united  efforts  of  the  teams.  The 
heat  was  intense,  not  a  breath  stirred ;  the  heavy  black  clouds 
fast  collecting  bade  us  prepare  for  a  deluge.  We  therefore 
formed  the  camp  in  an  elevated  and  sheltered  position,  under 
the  lee  of  a  high  stone  inclosure,  which  only  required  the 
entrance  to  be  closed  with  bushes  to  make  a  secure  pound  for 
the  cattle.  Scarcely  were  these  arrangements  completed, 
when  a  stream  of  liquid  fire  ran  along  the  ground,  and  a  deaf- 
ening thunder-clap  exploding  above  us,  was  instantly  followed 
by  a  torrent  of  rain  which  came  not  in  drops,  but  in  continuous 
streams,  and  with  indiscribable  violence,  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  night ;  the  thunder  now  receding  and  rumbling 
less  and  less  distinctly,  but  more  incessantly,  among  the  dis- 
tant mountains — now  pealing  in  echoes  over  the  distant  hills, 
and  returning  to  burst  with  redoubled  violence  over  our  heads. 

The  horses  and  oxen  were  presently  standing  knee-deep  in 
water ;  our  followers  remained  sitting  all  night  in  the  bag- 
gage wagon,  which,  being  covered,  fortunately  resisted  the 
pitiless  storm.  Sleep,  however,  was  out  of  the  question,  the 
earth  actually  threatened  to  give  way  under  us,  the  lightning 
being  so  painfully  vivid  that  we  were  glad  to  hide  our  heads 
under  the  pillow. 

Those  only  who  have  witnessed  the  setting  in  of  the  south- 
west monsoon  in  India  are  capable  of  understanding  the 
awful  tempest  I  have  attempted  to  describe.  About  an  hour 
before  dawn  its  fury  began  to  abate,  and  at  sunrise  it  was 
perfectly  fine,  but  the  rivers  were  quite  impassable.  Pro- 
ceeding to  reconnoitre  the  pass,  we  found  that  it  was  impass- 
able for  wagons,  being  nothing  more  than  a  narrow  channel 
flanked  by  perpendicular  crags,  between  which  the  Saut  river 
rushes  on  its  way  to  join  the  Singkling,  making  a  number 


832  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

of  abrupt  windings  through  a  most  impracticable  country, 
intersected  by  a  succession  of  rocky  declivities.  From  the 
highest  peaks  we  saw  several  herds  of  buffaloes,  and  whilst 
descending  came  upon  the  tracks  of  a  huge  elephant  that  had 
passed  about  an  hour  before.  This  being  the  largest  foot- 
print we  had  seen,  I  had  the  curiosity  to  measure  it,  in  order 
to  ascertain  the  animal's  height — twice  the  circumference  of 
the  elephant's  foot  being,  it  is  notorious,  the  exact  height  at 
the  shoulder.  It  yielded  a  product  of  about  twelve  feet, 
which,  notwithstanding  the  traditions  that  have  been  handed 
down,  I  believe  to  be  the  maximum  height  attained  by  the 
African  elephant. 

"We  followed  the  trail  across  the  Saut  river,  which  had  now 
considerably  subsided,  and  finding  that  it  had  proceeded  east- 
ward along  the  mountain-chain,  returning  to  our  encampment 
for  horses  and  ammunition.  Leaving  the  wagon  to  proceed 
to  a  spot  agreed  upon,  we  again  took  the  field  about  ten  o'clock, 
and  pursued  the  track  indefatigably  for  eight  miles  over  a 
country  presenting  every  variety  of  feature.  At  one  time  we 
crossed  bare  stony  ridges,  at  another  threaded  the  intricacies 
of  shaggy  but  dilapidated  forests ;  now  struggling  through 
high  fields  of  waving  grass,  and  again  emerging  into  open 
downs.  At  length  we  arrived  among  extensive  groups  of 
grassy  hillocks,  covered  with  loose  stones,  interspersed  with 
streams  and  occasional  patches  of  forest,  in  which  the  recent 
ravages  of  elephants  were  surprising.  Here  to  our  inexpress- 
ible gratification,  we  descried  a  large  herd  of  those  long- 
sought  animals,  lazily  browsing  at  the  head  of  a  distant  val- 
ley ;  our  attention  having  been  first  directed  to  it  by  the 
strong  and  not  to  be  mistaken  effluvia  with  which  the  wind 
was  impregnated.  Never  having  before  seen  the  elephant 
in  his  native  jungles,  we  gazed  at  the  sight  before  us  with 
intense  and  indescribable  interest.  Our  feelings  on  the  occa- 
sion even  extended  to  our  followers.  As  for  Andries,  he  be- 
came so  agitated  that  he  could  scarcely  articulate.  With 


ELEPHANT  HUNTING.  335 

open  eyes  and  quivering  lips  he  at  length  stuttered  forth — 
"  Dar  stands  de  olifant !" 

Two  of  our  people  were  immediately  dispatched  to  drive 
the  herd  back  into  the  valley,  up  which  we  rode  slowly  and 
without  noise,  against  the  wind ;  and  arriving  within  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  unperceived,  we  made  our  horses 
fast,  and  took  up  a  commanding  position  in  an  old  stone  kraal. 
The  shouting  of  the  savages,  who  now  appeared  on  the  height, 
rattling  their  shields,  caused  the  animals  to  move  unsuspi- 
ciously towards  us,  and  even  within  ten  yards  of  our  ambush. 
The  group  consisted  of  nine,  all  females,  with  large  tusks. 
We  selected  the  finest,  and  with  perfect  deliberation,  fired  a 
volley  of  five  balls  into  her.  She  stumbled,  but  recovering 
herself,  uttered  a  shrill  note  of  lamentation,  when  the  whole 
party  threw  their  trunks  above  their  heads,  and  instantly 
clambered  up  the  adjacent  hill  with  incredible  celerity,  their 
huge  fan-like  ears  flapping  in  the  ratio  of  their  speed.  We 
instantly  mounted  our  horses,  and  the  sharp  loose  stones 
not  suiting  the  feet  of  the  wounded  lady,  soon  closed  with 
her.  Streaming  with  blood,  and  infuriated  with  rage,  she 
turned  upon  us  with  uplifted  trunk,  and  it  was  not  until  after 
repeated  discharges  that  a  ball  took  effect  in  her  brain,  and 
threw  her  lifeless  upon  the  earth,  which  resounded  with  the 
fall.  Turning  our  attention  from  the  exciting  scene  we  have 
described,  we  found  that  a  second  valley  had  opened  before 
us,  surrounded  by  bare  strong  hills,  and  traversed  by  a  thinly- 
wooded  ravine.  Here  a  grand  and  magnificent  panorama  was 
before  us,  which  beggars  all  description.  The  whole  face 
of  the  landscape  was  actually  covered  with  wild  elephants. 
There  could  not  have  been  fewer  than  three  hundred  within 
the  scope  of  our  vision.  Every  height  and  green  knoll  was 
dotted  over  with  groups  of  them,  "whilst  the  bottom  of  the 
glen  exhibited  a  dense  and  sable  living  mass — their  colossal 
forms  being  at  one  moment  partially  concealed  by  the  trees, 
which  they  were  disfiguring  with  great  strength ;  and  at  others 


336  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

seen  majestically  emerging  into  the  open  glades,  bearing  in 
their  trunks  the  branches  of  trees,  with  which  they  indolently 
protected  themselves  from  the  flies.  The  back-ground  Was  filled 
with  a  limited  peep  of  the  blue  mountainous  range,  which  here 
assumed  a  remarkably  precipitous  character,  and  completed  a 
picture  at  once  soul-stirring  and  sublime ! 

Our  approach,  being  still  against  the  wind,  was  unobserved, 
and  created  little  alarm,  until  the  herd  that  we  had  left  behind 
suddenly  showed  itself,  recklessly  thundering  down  the  hill  to 
join  the  main  body,  and  passing  so  close  to  us  that  we  could  not 
refrain  from  firing  a  broadside  into  one  of  them,  which,  however, 
bravely  withstood  it.  We  secured  our  horses  on  the  summit 
of  a  stony  ridge,  and  then  stationing  ourselves  at  an  opportune 
place  on  a  ledge  overlooking  the  wooded  defile,  sent  Andries 
to  manoeuvre,  so  that  as  many  of  the  elephants  as  possible 
could  pass  before  us  in  order  of  review,  that  we  might  ascer- 
tain by  a  close  inspection  whether  there  was  not  a  male  amongst 
them.  Filing  sluggishly  along,  they  occasionally  halted  be- 
neath an  umbrageous  tree,  within  fifteen  yards  of  us,  lazily 
fanning  themselves  with  their  ample  ears,  blowing  away  the 
flies  with  their  trunks,  and  uttering  the  feeble  cry  so  peculiar 
to  Indian  elephants.  They  all  proved  to  be  ladies,  and  most 
of  them  mothers,  followed  by  their  little  old-fashioned  calves, 
each  trudging  close  to  the  heels  of  her  dam,  and  mimicking 
all  her  motions.  Thus  situated,  we  might  have  killed  any 
number  we  pleased,  their  heads  being  frequently  turned  to- 
wards us  in  such  a  position,  and  so  close,  that  a  single  ball 
in  the  brain  would  have  sufficed  for  each  ;  but  whilst  we  were 
yet  hesitating,  a  bullet  suddenly  whizzed  past  Richardson's 
ear,  and  put  the  whole  herd  to  immediate  flight.  We  had 
barely  time  to  recede  behind  a  tree,  before  a  party  of  about 
twenty,  with  several  little  ones  in  their  wake,  were  upon  us, 
striding  at  their  utmost  speed,  and  trumpeting  loudly  with 
uplifted  heads.  I  rested  my  rifle  against  the  tree,  and  firing 
behind  the  shoulder  of  the  leader,  she  dropped  instantly. 


ELEPHANT  HUNTING.  339 

Another  large  detachment  being  close  behind  us  at  the  same 
moment,  we  were  compelled  to  retreat,  dodging  from  tree  to 
tree,  stumbling  among  sharp  stones,  and  ever  coming  upon 
fresh  parties  of  the  enemy.  This  scene  of  ludicrous  confu- 
sion did  not  long  continue,  and  soon  approaching  the  pros- 
trate lady,  we  put  an  end  to  her  struggles  by  a  shot  in  the 
forehead.  Andries  now  came  up  in  high  good  humour  at  his 
achievements,  and  in  the  most  bravado  manner,  discharged 
his  piece  into  the  dead  carcass,  under  the  pretence  that  the 
animal  was  shamming.  His  object  evidently  was  to  confound 
the  shots,  for,  thrusting  his  middle  finger  into  the  orifice  made 
by  my  two-ounce  ball,  he  with  the  most  modest  assurance 
declared  himself  the  author  of  the  deed,  being  pleased  alto- 
gether to  overlook  the  fact  of  the  mortal  shot  having  entered 
the  elephant  on  the  opposite  side  to  that  on  which  he  was 
stationed,  and  that  his  own  ball,  whether  designedly  or  not, 
had  all  but  finished  my  worthy  and  esteemed  fellow-traveller. 

On  our  way  to  the  camp,  of  the  exact  position  of  which  we 
were  uncertain,  in  consequence  of  the  late  inundation,  we 
passed  three  other  large  herds  of  elephants.  One  of  these 
standing  directly  in  the  route,  we  attacked  it,  and  pursued 
the  fugitives  about  a  mile  over  loose  stones.  Much  has  been 
said  of  the  attachment  of  elephants  to  their  young,  but  nei- 
ther oh  this,  nor  any  subsequent  occasion,  did  we  perceive 
them  evince  the  smallest  concern  for  their  safety ;  and  those 
who  were  behind  us  assagaied  one,  the  tail  of  which  they 
brought  in.  We  slew  another  old  female  as  we  ascended  the 
brow  of  an  eminence,  and  at  the  same  moment  perceived  our 
wagons  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  spot.  The  whole 
herd  dashed  through  the  camp,  causing  indescribable  conster- 
nation among  cattle  and  followers ;  but  fortunately  no  acci- 
dent occurred ;  and  after  the  fatiguing  day's  work  we  had 
undergone,  we  were  not  sorry  to  find  ourselves  at  home. 

"Watery  clouds  hung  about  the  sun  as  he  set  heavily  be- 
hind the  mountains.  Loud  peals  of  crashing  thunder  rent 


340 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


THE  STORM. 

the  air,  and  ere  it  was  yet  dark,  we  had  a  repetition  of  yes- 
terday's storm  ;  the  river  roaring  past  us  with  frightful  fury ; 
troops  of  elephants,  flying  from  the  scene  of  slaughter,  passed 
close  to  our  wagons  during  the  darkness,  their  wild  voices 
echoing  among  the  mountains,  and  sounding  like  trumpets 
above  the  tempest.  It  was  impossible  to  keep  the  fires  burn- 
ing, and  the  oxen  and  sheep  were  alarmed  to  such  a  degree 
that  they  broke  from  the  kraal,  and  sought  safety  in  the 
wilderness.  Tired  as  I  was,  the  excitement  I  had  under- 
gone banished  sleep  from  my  eyes.  I  ruminated  on  the  spi- 
rit-stirring events  of  the  day,  and  burned  with  impatience  to 
renew  them.  Heedless  of  the  withering  blast  that  howled 
without,  I  felt  that  my  most  sanguine  expectations  had  been 
realized,  and  that  we  had  already  been  amply  repaid  for  the 
difficulties,  privations,  and  dangers  that  we  had  encountered 
in  our  toilsome  journey  towards  this  fairy-land  of  sport. 

It  was  still  raining  heavily  when  the  day  gloomily  dawned. 
The  mountain  torrents  having  overflowed  their  banks,  the 
valley  in  which  we  were  encamped  had  become  a  continuous 


20: 


ELEPHANT  HUNTING.  343 

pool  of  water,  and  those  of  our  followers  who  had  slung  their 
hammocks  beneath  the  wagons,  were  partially  submerged. 
High  roads  had  been  ploughed  through  the  mire  by  the  pas- 
sage of  elephants,  and  whole  acres  of  grass,  by  which  we  had 
been  surrounded  the  preceding  evening,  had  been  completely 
trampled  down.  Soon  after  sunrise  it  cleared  up,  and  the 
cattle  having  been  recovered,  we  armed  a  party  with  hatchets, 
and  proceeded  on  foot  to  cut  out  the  teeth  of  the  slain  ele- 
phants ;  but  walking  was  exceedingly  toilsome,  and  our  feet 
sinking  to  the  ankles  in  black  mud,  were  extricated  with  in- 
conceivable difficulty.  Taking  advantage  of  our  situation,  an 
irritated  rhinoceros  sallied  from  behind  an  old  stone  wall ; 
and  the  damp  causing  three  of  the  guns  to  miss  fire,  he  was 
actually  among  us,  when  my  ball  fortunately  pierced  his  eye, 
and  he  fell  dead  at  our  feet. 

Not  an  elephant  was  to  be  seen  on  the  ground  that  was 
yesterday  teeming  with  them ;  but  on  reaching  the  glen, 
which  had  been  the  scene  of  our  exploits  during  the  early 
part  of  the  action,  a  calf,  about  three  feet  and  a  half  high, 
walked  forth  from  a  bush,  and  saluted  us  with  mournful  piping 
notes.  We  had  observed  the  unhappy  little  wretch  hovering 
about  its  mother  after  she  fell,  and  having  probably  been 
unable  to  overtake  the  herd,  it  had  passed  a  dreary  night  in 
the  wood.  Entwining  its  little  proboscis  about  our  legs,  the 
sagacious  creature,  after  demonstrating  its  delight  at  our 
arrival  by  a  thousand  ungainly  antics,  accompanied  the  party 
to  the  body  of  its  dam,  which,  swollen  to  an  enormous  size, 
was  surrounded  by  an  inquest  of  vultures.  Seated  in  gaunt 
array,  with  their  shoulders  shrugged,  these  loathsome  fowls 
were  waiting  its  decomposition  with  forced  resignation ;  the 
tough  hide  having  defied  all  the  efforts  of  their  beaks,  with 
which  the  eyes  and  softer  parts  had  been  vigorously  assailed. 
The  conduct  of  the  quaint  little  calf  now  became  quite  affect- 
ing, and  elicited  the  sympathy  of  every  one.  It  ran  round 
its  mother's  corpse  with  touching  demonstrations  of  grief, 


344 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


piping  sorrowfully,  and  vainly  attempted  to  raise  her  with 
its  tiny  trunk.  I  confess  that  I  had  felt  compunctions  in 
committing  the  murder  the  day  before,  and  now  half  resolved 
never  to  assist  in  another ;  for,  in  addition  to  the  moving 
behaviour  of  the  young  elephant,  I  had  been  unable  to  divest 
myself  of  the  idea  that  I  was  firing  at  my  old  favorite  Mowla- 
Bukhsh,  from  whose  gallant  back  I  had  vanished  so  many 
of  my  feline  foes  in  Guzerat — an  impression,  which,  however 
ridiculous  it  must  appear,  detracted  considerably  from  the 
satisfaction  I  experienced. 


WHITE  RHINOCEROS. 


fti/feiope. 


IN  the  western  part  of  the  United  States  near  the  Rocky 
Mountains  as  well  as  in  the  regions  of  the  Upper  Mississippi, 
is  found  the  Prong  horned  Antelope.  Mr.  Ruxton,  in  his 
"Adventures  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,"  thus  notices  this 
animal  and  the  carcagieu.  The  antelope,  the  smallest  of  the 
deer  tribe,  affords  the  hunter  a  sweet  and  nutritious  meat, 
when  that  of  nearly  every  other  description  of  game,  from 
the  poorness  and  scarcity  of  grass  during  winter,  is  barely 
eatable.  They  are  seldom  seen  now  in  very  large  bands  on 
the  grand  prairies,  having  been  driven  from  the  old  pastures 
by  the  Indians  and  white  hunters.  The  former,  by  means  of 
"surrounds,"  an  inclosed  space  formed  in  one  of  the  passes 

(347) 


348  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

used  by  these  animals,  very  often  drive  into  the  toils  an  entire 
band  of  antelopes  of  several  hundreds,  when  not  one  escaped 
slaughter. 

I  have  seen  them  on  the  western  sides  of  the  mountains, 
and  in  the  mountain  valleys,  in  herds  of  several  thousands. 
They  are  exceedingly  timid  animals,  but  at  the  same  time 
wonderfully  curious  ;  and  their  curiosity  very  often  proves 
their  death,  for  the  hunter  taking  advantage  of  this  weakness, 
plants  his  wiping-stick  in  the  ground,  with  a  cap  or  red  hand- 
kerchief on  the  point,  and  concealing  himself  in  the  long  grass, 
waits,  rifle  in  hand,  the  approach  of  the  inquisitive  antelope, 
who,  seeing  an  unusual  object  in  the  plain,  trots  up  to  it,  and, 
coming  within  range  of  the  deadly  tube,  pays  dearly  for  his 
temerity.  An  antelope,  when  alone,  is  one  of  the  stupidest 
of  beasts,  and  becomes  so  confused  and  frightened  at  sight  of 
a  travelling  party,  that  it  frequently  runs  right  into  the  midst 
of  the  danger  it  seeks  to  avoid. 

I  had  heard  most  wonderful  accounts  from  the  trappers  of 
an  animal,  the  existence  of  which  was  beyond  all  doubt,  which 
although  exceedingly  rare,  was  occasionally  met  with  in  the 
mountains,  but,  from  its  supposed  dangerous  ferocity,  and  the 
fact  of  its  being  a  cross  between  the  devil  and  a  bear,  was 
never  molested  by  the  Indians  or  white  hunters,  and  a  wide 
berth  given  whenever  the  animal  made  its  dreaded  appearance. 
Most  wonderful  stories  were  told  of  its  audacity  and  fearless- 
ness ;  how  it  sometimes  jumps  from  an  overhanging  rock  on 
a  deer  or  buffalo,  and,  fastening  on  its  neck,  soon  brings  it  to 
the  ground ;  how  it  has  been  known  to  leap  upon  a  hunter 
when  passing  near  its  place  of  concealment,  and  devour  him 
in  a  twinkling — often  charging  furiously  into  a  camp,  and 
playing  all  sorts  of  pranks  on  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the 
mountaineers.  The  general  belief  was  that  the  animal  owes 
its  paternity  to  the  old  gentleman  himself;  but  the  most 
reasonable  declare  it  to  be  a  cross  between  the  bear  and  wolf. 

Hunting  one  day  with  an  old  Canadian  trapper,  he  told  me 


THE  CARCAGIETT. 
30 


HUNTING  THE  PRONG  HORNED  ANTELOPE.  351 

that,  in  a  part  of  the  mountains  which  we  were  about  to  visit 
on  the  morrow,  he  once  had  a  battle  with  a  "  carcagieu,"  which 
lasted  upward  of  two  hours,  during  which  he  fired  a  pouch  full 
of  balls  into  the  animal's  body,  which  spat  them  out  as  fast 
as  they  were  shot  in.  To  the  truth  of  this  improbable  story 
he  called  all  the  saints  to  bear  witness. 

Two  days  after,  as  we  were  toiling  up  a  steep  ridge  after  a 
band  of  mountain-sheep,  my  companion,  who  was  in  advance, 
suddenly  threw  himself  fla,t  behind  a  rock,  and  exclaimed,  in  a 
smothered  tone,  signaling  me  with  his  hand  to  keep  down  and 
conceal  myself,  "  Sacre  enfant  de  Garce,  mais  here's  von  dam 
carcagieu !" 

I  immediately  cocked  my  rifle,  and,  advancing  to  the  rock, 
and  peeping  over  it,  saw  an  animal,  about  the  size  of  a  large 
badger,  engaged  in  scraping  up  the  earth  about  a  dozen  paces 
from  where  we  were  concealed.  Its  color  was  dark,  almost 
black ;  its  body  long,  and  apparently  tailless ;  and  I  at  once 
recognized  the  mysterious  beast  to  be  a  "glutton."  After  I 
had  sufficiently  examined  the  animal,  I  raised  my  rifle  to  shoot, 
when  a  louder  than  common  "Enfant  de  Garce"  from  my 
companion  alarmed  the  animal,  and  it  immediately  ran  off, 
when  I  stood  up  and  fired  both  barrels  after  it,  but  without 
effect ;  the  attempt  exciting  a  derisive  laugh  from  the  Cana- 
dian, who  exclaimed,  "  Pe  gar,  may  be  you  got  fifty  balls ; 
vel,  shoot  'em  all  at  de  dam  carcagieu,  and  he  not  care  a 
dam !" 

The  skins  of  these  animal  are  considered  "  great  medicine" 
by  the  Indians,  and  will  fetch  almost  any  price.  They  are 
very  rarely  met  with  on  the  plains,  preferring  the  upland 
valleys  and  broken  ground  of  the  mountains,  which  afford 
them  a  better  field  for  their  method  of  securing  game,  which 
is  by  lying  in  wait  behind  a  rock,  or  on  the  steep  bank  of  a 
ravine,  concealed  by  a  tree  or  shrub,  until  a  deer  or  antelope 
passes  underneath,  when  they  spring  upon  the  animal's  back, 
and  holding  on  with  their  strong  and  sharp  claws,  which  they 


352 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


bury  in  the  flesh,  soon  bring  it  bleeding  to  the  ground.  The 
Indians  say  they  are  purely  carnivorous  ;  but  I  imagine  that, 
like  the  bear,  they  not  unfrequently  eat  fruit  and  roots,  when 
animal  food  is  not  to  be  had. 


A  WESTERN  HUNTER. 


01]  ^  SirococSiie. 


WHILE  paddling  up  the  Rohan,  a  small  stream  in  the  north- 
west province  of  India,  I  saw  what  appeared  to  be  a  half- 
burned  log  of  wood  lying  on  a  sandbank.  I  paddled  close  up 
to  it.  To  my  astonishment,  it  proved  to  be  a  huge  reptile. 
The  old  stories  of  dragons,  griffins,  and  monsters,  seemed  no 
longer  fables  ;  the  speculations  of  geologists  concerning  mo- 
sosaurians,  hyleesaurians,  and  plesiosaurians,  were  no  longer 
dreams.  There,  in  all  his  scaly  magnificence,  was  a  real 
saurian,  nearly  eighteen  feet  long.  For  a  while  I  stood  gazing 
at  this,  to  me,  new  fellow-citizen  of  the  world,  and  speculat- 
ing on  his  mental  constitution.  The  monster  was,  or  pre- 

(355) 


356  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

tended  to  be,  asleep.  I  wondered  if  he  dreampt,  and  what 
his  dreams  and  reveries  might  be  about ;  possibly  he  was 
dreaming  of  the  same  old  world  with  which  I  associated  him — 
possibly  of  the  fish  who  were  swimming  in  the  waters  below ; 
or,  he  might  be  thinking  of  the  men  and  women  he  had  swal- 
lowed in  the  course  of  his  existence.  There  was  a  snort ; 
perhaps  that  was  occasioned  by  the  bugles  and  heavy  brass 
ornaments  which  had  adorned  the  limbs  of  some  Hindoo 
beauty  he  had  eaten,  and  which  were  lying  heavy  and  indi- 
gestible on  his  stomach.  But  presently  the  brute  lay  so  still, 
and  seemed  so  tranquil  and  placid  in  his  sleep,  that  it  was 
difficult  to  imagine  him  guilty  of  such  atrocities.  He  did  not 
appear  to  be  disturbed  by  remorse,  or  the  twitchings  of  a 
guilty  conscience  ;  it  may  have  been  all  a  slander.  I  felt  so 
kindly  disposed  towards  him,  that  I  could  not  imagine  it 
possible  that  if  awake  he  would  feel  disposed  to  eat  me.  Let 
us  see ! — so  making  a  splash  with  my  paddle,  I  wakened  the 
sleeping  beauty.  He  instantly  started  up,  and  opened,  what 
appeared — what  indeed  proved  to  be — an  enlarged  man-trap ; 
disclosing  a  red,  slimy  cavern  within,  fringed  with  great  coni- 
cal fangs.  He  closed  it  with  a  snap  that  made  me  shudder, 
and  then  plunged  into  the  water,  his  eyes  glaring  with  hate 
and  defiance. 

Some  days  after  I  had  made  this  new  accquaintance,  I  was 
sitting  at  home  talking  with  my  brother,  when  a  native  woman 
came  crying  and  screaming  to  the  bungalow  door,  tearing  her 
hair  out  in  handfulls ;  she  got  down  on  the  veranda  floor  and 
struck  her  head  against  it,  as  if  she  really  meant  to  dash  her 
brains  out.  A  crowd  of  other  women  stood  at  a  short  distance, 
crying  and  lamenting,  as  if  they  were  frantic.  What  was  the 
matter  ?  Half  a  dozen  voices  made  answer  in  a  discordant 
chorus,  that  while  the  poor  woman  was  washing  her  clothes 
by  the  river  side,  her  child — an  infant  about  a  year  old — had 
been  seized  and  swallowed  by  a  mugger.  Although  convinced 
that  aid  was  now  impossible,  we  took  our  guns  and  hastened 


BLOWING  UP  A  CROCODILE. 


357 


KINGFISHER. 

to  the  spot  where  the  accident  happened ;  but  all  was  still 
there,  not  a  wavelet  disturbed  the  surface  of  the  stream.  A 
small  speckled  kingfisher  was  hovering  overhead,  as  if  ba- 
lanced in  the  air,  with  its  beak  bent  down  on  its  breast,  watch- 
ing the  fish  beneath ;  presently  it  darted  like  an  arrow  into 
the  water  ;  returned  with  an  empty  bill,  and  then  went  off, 
with  its  clear,  sharp,  twittering  note  as  if  to  console  itself  for 
the  failure. 

One  day  I  was  sitting  on  the  high  bank  of  the  river,  taking 
snap  shots  with  my  gun  at  the  large  fish  who  were  every  now 
and  then  leaping  out  of  the  water.  A  favorite  spaniel  was 
bringing  fish  out  of  the  water  that  I  had  hit.  It  had  swum 
already  half-way  across  the  stream  when  the  water  about  six 
yards  below  her  became  suddenly  disturbed  ;  and  to  my  horror, 
up  started  the  head  and  open  jaws  of  an  enormous  crocodile. 
The  dog  gave  a  loud  shriek,  and  sprang  half  out  of  the  water. 
The  mugger  swam  rapidly,  and  got  within  a  yard  of  his  in- 
tended victim,  when  I  raised  my  gun,  and  took  aim  at  the 


358  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

monster's  head.  A  thud,  a  splash,  a  bubble,  and  a  dusky 
red  streak  in  the  water,  was  all  that  ensued.  Presently,  how- 
ever, Juno's  glossy  black  head  emerged  from  the  water ;  and 
to  my  delight  began  to  make  rapid  progress  towards  me,  and 
landed  safely.  The  poor  brute,  wet  and  shivering,  coiled 
herself  up  at  my  feet,  with  her  bright  hazle  eye  fixed  on  mine 
with  ineffable  satisfaction.  Poor  Juno  subsequently  fell  a 
victim  to  the  muggers,  when  her  master  was  not  at  hand  to 
succor  her.  I  mention  these  facts,  to  show  the  diabolical 
revenge  with  which  I  afterwards  assisted  in  visiting  these 
monsters  was  not  groundless.  But  the  strongest  occasion  of 
it  remains  to  be  told. 

Just  as  the  "rains"  were  beginning,  my  neighbor,  Mr. 
Hall,  sent  me  word  that  he  intended  paying  me  a  short  visit, 
and  requested  me  to  send  a  syce  (groom)  with  a  saddle-horse, 
to  meet  him  at  a  certain  place  on  the  road.  The  syce,  Sidhoo, 
was  a  smart,  open-chested,  sinewy-limbed  fellow,  a  perfect 
model  of  a  biped  racer.  He  could  run,  as  is  the  custom  in 
the  east,  alongside  his  horse  at  a  pace  of  seven  or  eight  miles 
an  hour,  for  a  length  of  time  that  would  astonish  the  best 
English  pedestrian  I  ever  heard  of. 

Towards  evening,  Mr.  Hall  rode  up  to  the  bungalow,  wet 
with  water,  and  covered  with  mud.  I  saw  at  once  that  some 
accident  had  happened,  and  hastened  to  assist  him. 

As  soon  as  he  got  inside,  he  said,  in  answer  to  my  banter- 
ing about  his  "  spill,"  "  I  am  in  no  humor  for  jesting.  Your 
syce  is  lost !" 

"  Drowned  ?' 

"No  ; — eaten  by  an  enormous  crocodile  !" 

He  added  that,  on  arriving  at  a  small  nullah  about  two 
miles  off,  he  found  it  so  much  swollen  by  rain,  that  he  had 
to  swim  his  horse  across  it,  holding  one  end  of  the  cord, 
which  Sidhoo,  in  common  with  most  Hindoos,  wore  coiled 
round  his  waist,  and  which  was  used  in  drawing  water  from 
the  deep  wells  of  the  country.  Hall  got  safely  across,  and 


BLOWING  UP  A  CROCODILE.  359 

then  commenced  pulling  Sidhoo  over  by  means  of  the  cord. 
The  black  face,  with  the  white  teeth  and  turban,  were  bobbing 
above  the  muddy  water,  when  all  at  once  the  groom  threw  up 
his  arms,  gave  a  loud  shriek,  and  sank  below  the  surface. 
Mr.  Hall,  who  had  doubled  the  cord  round  his  hand,  was 
dragged  into  the  water,  where"  he  got  a  momentary  glimpse 
of  the  long  serrated  tail  of  a  mugger,  lashing  the  water  a  short 
way  ahead  of  him.  In  his  efforts  to  save  himself,  he  lost  his 
hold  of  the  string,  and  with  much  difficulty  clambered  up  the 
slippery  bank  of  the  nullah.  All  was  now  still.  Only  Sid- 
hoo's  turban  was  to  be  seen  floating  loosely  a  considerable 
way  down  the  stream.  Hall  ran  towards  it,  with  the  sort  of 
feeling  which  makes  a  drowning  man  catch  at  a  straw ;  and, 
by  means  of  a  stick,  he  succeeded  in  fishing  it  out,  and  car- 
ried it  with  him,  as  the  only  remnant  of  Sidhoo  he  could  give 
an  account  of. 

Bad  news  soon  spreads  in  an  Indian  village,  and  Sidhoo's 
fate  was  soon  made  known  to  his  wife ;  and  in  a  short  time 
she  came  crying  and  sobbing  to  the  bungalow,  and  laid  her 
youngest  child  at  our  friend's  feet.  The  tears  glistened  in 
the  poor  fellow's  eyes  as  he  tried  to  soothe  and  console  her ; 
which  he  did  by  promising  to  provide  for  her  and  her  children. 

Although  Hall  was  generally  running  over  with  fun,  we 
smoked  our  cheroot  that  evening  in  silence ;  except  when  we 
proposed  schemes  for  the  annihilation  of  the  crocodiles.  A 
great  many  plans  were  discussed — but  none  that  offered  much 
chance  of  success.  The  next  day,  after  breakfast,  I  was 
showing  my  visitor  a  galvanic  blasting  apparatus,  lately  re- 
ceived from  England,  for  blowing  up  the  snags,  (roots  of  trees) 
which  obstruct  the  navigation  of  the  river.  I  was  explaining 
its  mode  of  action  to  him,  when  he  suddenly  interrupted  me 
with — 

"  The  very  thing  !  Instead  of  snags,  why  not  blow  up  the 
muggers  ?" 

I  confessed  that  there  could  be  no  reason  why  we  should 


360  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

not  blast  the  muggers.  The  difficulty  was  only  how  to  ma- 
nage it ;  yet  the  more  we  talked  of  it,  the  more  feasible  did 
the  scheme  appear  to  be. 

The  brutes  keep  pretty  constant  to  the  same  quarters, 
when  the  fish  are  plentiful ;  and  we  soon  ascertained  that 
Sidhoo's  murderer  was  well  known  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  nullah.  He  had  on  several  occasions  carried  off  sheep, 
goats,  pigs,  and  children ;  and  had  once  attempted  to  drag  a 
buffalo,  whom  he  had  caught  drinking,  into  the  water ;  but, 
from  all  accounts,  came  off  second  best  in  this  rencontre. 
There  not  being  enough  of  water  in  the  nullah  to  drown  the 
buffalo,  the  nugger  soon  found  that  he  had  caught  a  Tartar : 
and  after  being  well  mauled  by  the  buffalo's  horns,  he  was 
fain  to  scuttle  off  and  hide  himself  among  the  mud. 

I  had  observed,  when  blasting  the  snags,  that  the  concus- 
sion produced  by  the  discharge  had  the  effect  of  killing  all 
the  fish  within  the  range  of  some  twenty  or  thirty  yards. 
After  every  explosion,  they  were  found  in  great  numbers, 
floating  on  the  surface  of  the  water  with  their  bellies  upper- 
most. It  now  occurred  to  me,  that  if  we  could  only  get 
within  a  moderate  distance  of  the  mugger,  if  we  did  not  blow 
him  to  pieces,  we  would  at  all  events  give  him  a  shock  that 
would  rather  astonish  him.  An  explosion  of  gunpowder  under 
water  communicates  a  much  severer  shock  to  the  objects  in 
its  immediate  vicinity,  than  the  same  quantity  of  powder  ex- 
ploded in  the  air ;  the  greater  density  of  the  water  enabling 
it,  as  it  were,  to  give  a  harder  blow. 

Having  made  our  arrangements,  Mr.  Hall,  my  brother,  and 
myself,  got  into  a  small  canoe,  with  the  blasting  apparatus  on 
board,  and  dropped  down  the  stream  to  where  the  nullah  dis- 
charged its  waters  into  the  Rohan.  We  then  got  out  and 
proceeded  to  a  village  close  by,  where  we  obtained,  for  a  few 
annas,  the  carcass  of  a  young  kid.  A  flask  with  about  six 
pounds  of  gunpowder,  and  having  the  conducting  wires  at- 
tached, was  then  sewn  into  the  kid's  belly.  Two  strong  ropes 


BLOWING  UP  A  CROCODILE.  361 

were  also  tied  to  this  bait ;  and,  to  one  of  these,  the  con- 
ducting wire  was  firmly  bound  with  small  cord.  The  ropes 
were  about  thirty  yards  long,  and  had  each  attached  to  its 
extremities  one  of  the  inflated  goat-skins  used  by  water-car- 
criers.  Hall,  with  his  goat-skin  under  his  arm,  and  a  coil  of 
loose  rope  in  his  hand,  took  one  side  of  the  nullah,  while  my 
brother,  similarly  provided,  took  the  other.  My  brother's  rope 
contained  the  wire ;  so  I  walked  beside  him,  while  two  coolies, 
with  the  battery  ready  charged,  and  slung  to  a  pole  upon  their 
shoulders,  accompanied  me.  A  small  float  was  also  attached 
by  a  string  to  the  kid,  so  as  to  indicate  its  position. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  we  commenced  walking  up 
the  nullah,  dragging  the  carcass  of  the  kid  in  the  stream,  and 
moving  it  across  from  side  to  side,  so  as  to  leave  no  part  of 
the  bed  untried ;  and  as  the  nullah  was  only  about  twelve 
yards  wide,  we  felt  pretty  confident  that  if  the  mugger  were 
in  it,  we  could  scarcely  fail  of  coming  in  contact  with  him. 
We  had  proceeded  only  about  a  quater  of  a  mile,  when  the 
float  suddenly  dipped.  My  brother 'aud  Hall  threw  the  loose 
coil  of  ropes  they  carried  on  the  water,  along  with  the  inflated 
skins.  These  made  it  soon  evident  by  their  motion  that  the 
mugger  had  seized  the  kid.  He  was  dashing  across  in  a  zig- 
zag: direction  down  the  stream.  I  ran  after  him  as  fast  as  I 

o 

could,  and  paying  out  the  cord  from  the  reel  when  I  found  it 
impossible  to  keep  up  with  him. 

On  reaching  a  place  where  the  banks  were  steeper  than 
usual,  he  came  to  a  stand-still  I  got  on  the  top  of  the  bank, 
and  commenced  hauling  in  the  rope.  I  did  not,  however,  ven- 
ture to  lift  the  skin  out  of  the  water,  for  fear  of  disturbing 
him,  until  the  coolies  with  the  batteries  had  time  to  come  up. 
This  was  a  very  anxious  time  ;  for  if  the  mugger  had  time  to 
shift  his  quarters  before  they  came  up,  a  fresh  run  with  him 
would  have  ensued,  with  the  chance  of  his  breaking  the  wires 
with  his  teeth.  After  a  while  I  heard  the  coolies  approach- 
ing, and  my  brother  scolding  them  and  urging  them  to  hasten 

31 


362  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

on.  Just  as  their  heads  appeared  above  the  bank,  the 
foremost  coolie  tripped  his  foot  and  fell, — I  groaned  with  dis- 
appointment. Presently  my  brother  came  along  with  them 
and  brought  the  battery  to  my  feet ;  a  good  deal  of  the  acid 
had  been  spilled,  but  with  the  aid  of  a  bottle  of  fresh  acid  we 
had  brought  with  us,  we  soon  got  the  battery  up  to  the  re- 
quisite power.  Every  thing  being  now  in  order,  I  commenced 
pulling  up  the  rope  with  the  wire.  I  proceeded  as  cautiously 
as  possible,  for  fear  of  disturbing  the  mugger ;  but  in  spite  of 
all  my  efforts,  the  inflated  skin,  in  coming  up  the  bank,  dis- 
lodged some  loose  pieces  of  earth,  and  sent  them  splashing 
into  the  water.  Fortunately,  however,  the  mugger  had  made 
up  his  mind  to  digest  the  kid  where  he  was.  I  could  not  help 
chuckling  when  I  at  length  got  hold  of  the  end  of  the  wires. 
While  my  brother  was  fastening  one  of  them  to  the  battery, 
I  got  the  other  ready  for  completing  the  circuit ;  the  mugger 
all  the  while  lying  still  at  the  bottom  of  the  nullah  with,  most 
likely  a  couple  of  fathoms  of  water  over  his  head,  unconscious 
of  danger,  and  little  dreaming  that  the  two-legged  creatures 
on  the  bank  had  got  a  nerve  communicating  with  his  stomach, 
through  which  they  were  going  to  send  a  flash  of  lightning, 
that  would  shatter  his  scaly  hulk  to  pieces. 

Every  thing  being  now  ready,  I  made  the  fatal  contact. 
Our  success  was  complete  !  We  felt  a  shock  as  if  something 
had  fallen  down  the  bank — a  mound  of  muddy  water  rose, 
a  muffled,  rumbling  sound,  and  then  burst  out  to  a  column  of 
dark  smoke.  A  splashing  and  bubbling  succeeded,  and  then 
a  great  crimson  patch  floated  on  the  water,  like  a  variegated 
carpet  pattern.  Strange-looking  fragment  of  scaly  skin  were 
picked  up  by  the  natives  from  the  water's  edge,  and  brought 
to  us  amid  a  very  general  rejoicing.  The  exploded  mugger 
floated  down  the  stream,  and  the  current  soon  carried  it  out 
of  sight.  We  were  not  at  all  sorry,  for  it  looked  such  a 
horrible  mess  that  we  felt  no  desire  to  examine  it. 

Our  sense  of  triumphant  satisfaction  was,  however,  sadly 


BLOWING  UP  A  CROCODILE.  363 

dampened  about  a  week  afterwards,  when  we  received  the 
mortifying  announcement,  that  Sidhoo's  mugger  was  still  alive, 
and  on  his  old  beat  apparently  uninjured.  It  was  evident 
we  had  blasted  the  wrong  mugger  !  We  consoled  ourselves 
with  the  reflection  that  if  he  were  not  Sidhoo's  murderer,  it 
was  very  likely  he  was  not  wholly  innocent  of  other  atrocities, 
and  therefore  deserved  his  fate. 

Of  course  it  was  impossible  to  rest  while  Sidhoo's  mugger 
remained  alive,  so  we  were  not  long  in  preparing  for  a  second 
expedition.  This  time  we  took  the  precaution  of  not  charg- 
ing the  battery  until  we  were  certain  that  the  bait  was  swal- 
lowed. The  acid,  diluted  to  the  necessary  strength,  was 
therefore  carried  in  one  of  those  brown  earthenware  jars 
called  gray-beards,  which  had  come  out  to  us  full  of  Glenlivet 
whiskey.  We  commenced  dragging  the  kid  up  the  stream, 
as  before;  but  having  walked  more  than  a  mile  without 
getting  a  bite,  we  were  getting  rather  disheartened,  and  sat 
down  to  rest,  struck  a  light,  and  smoked  a  cheroot.  Hall  lay 
down,  having  manufactured  an  impromptu  easy-chair  out  of 
his  coil  of  rope,  with  the  inflated  goat-skin  placed  above  it. 
My  brother  was  not  long  in  imitating  his  example,  and  I  lay 
down  under  the  shade  of  some  reeds,  near  the  water's  edge. 
The  heat  was  oppressive — and  we  were  discussing  the  proba- 
bility of  getting  a  bite  that  day,  and  lamenting  that  we  had 
not  brought  some  pale  ale  along  with  us,  when,  all  at  once,  I 
got  a  sharp  blow  on  the  leg,  while  my  brother  came  spinning 
down  the  bank  like  a  teetotum  ;  a  companion  picture  to  Hall, 
who  was  revolving  down  the  opposite  bank.  The  ropes  and 
skins  went  rushing  down  the  nullah  at  a  tremendous  pace.  As 
soon  as  we  recovered  from  the  laughter  into  which  we  were 
thrown  by  this  droll  contretemps,  we  set  off  in  pursuit,  guided 
by  the  track  which  the  inflated  skins  made  in  the  water.  On 
they  went,  dashing  from  side  to  side,  as  they  had  done  in  our 
first  attempt.  On  coming  to  a  place  where  the  nullah  made 
a  sharp  turn,  they  stood  under  the  high  bank,  on  the  inner 


364  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

curve  of  the  bend.  It  unfortunately  happened  that  the  bank, 
near  to  which  the  skins  were  floating,  was  too  precipitous  for 
us  to  get  near  them,  without  starting  the  mugger  from  his 
present  position.  With  much  labor,  we  detached  some  loose 
sods  from  the  top  of  the  bank,  ancl  sent  them  with  a' loud 
splash  into  the  water,  directly  over  where  we  imagined  him 
to  have  taken  up  his  quarters.  This  had  the  desired  effect, 
for  the  skins  began  to  move  slowly  down  the  stream,  as  if 
the  mugger  were  crawling  leisurely  along  the  bottom. 

Leaving  my  brother  with  the  coolies  in  charge  of  the  bat- 
tery, I  ran  on  to  where  the  bank  was  more  shelving.  By 
good  luck,  the  stream  was  rushing  up,  after  its  sudden  sweep, 
and  sent  a  strong  current  against  this  bank.  I  had  not  waited 
many  minutes,  before  the  skins  came  floating  round  the  corner, 
to  where  I  was  standing.  I  seized  the  one  to  which  the  wire  was 
attached,  desiring  my  brother  to  charge  the  battery,  and  bring 
it  down.  This  he  did  much  sooner  than  I  could  have  ex- 
pected ;  for  as  the  battery  was  now  empty,  one  coolie  was 
able  to  carry  it  on  his  head,  while  my  brother  took  the  jar  of 
acid  in  his  hand.  It  was  evident  from  the  motion  of  the  other 
skin  in  the  water,  that  the  mugger  was  still  moving ;  so  no 
time  was  to  be  lost.  I  made  the  connection  with  the  battery 
with  one  of  the  wires.  In  another  instant  the  circuit  was 
complete,  and  the  mugger's  doom  sealed. 

There  was  a  momentary  pause — owing,  I  suppose,  to  some 
slight  loss  of  insulation  in  the  wires — then  came  the  pre- 
monitory shock ;  then  the  rumble,  the  smoke,  the  sparks  ; 
and  a  great  bloated  mass  of  flesh  and  blood  rose  to  the  surface 
of  the  water.  Hall  called  out  to  us  to  drag  it  ashore,  and  see 
whether  we  could  get  any  trace  of  poor  Sidhoo.  We  tried  by 
means  of  a  bamboo  pole  to  pull  it  to  the  bank  ;  but  the  glimpse 
we  got  of  it  as  it  neared  was  so  unutterably  disgusting,  that 
we  pushed  it  off  again,  and  allowed  it  to  float  away  down  with 
the  current. 


A  BUFFALO. 


IK)  gouty  fitfriq. 


THE  following  is  a  specimen  of  Mr.  Cumming's  adventures 
in  South  Africa  :  "  On  the  evening  of  the  next  day  I  had  a 
row  with  an  old  bull  buffalo  ;  he  was  the  only  large  bull  in  a 
fine  herd  of  cows.  I  found  their  track  while  walking  ahead 
of  the  wagons,  and,  following  it  up,  I  came  upon  a  part  of  the 
herd  feeding  quietly  in  a  dense  part  of  the  forest.  I  fired 
my  first  shot  at  a  cow,  which  I  wounded.  The  other  half  of 
the  herd  then  came  up  right  in  my  face,  within  six  yards  of 
me.  They  would  have  trampled  on  me  if  I  had  not  sung  out 
in  their  faces  and  turned  them.  I  selected  the  old  bull  and 
sent  a  bullet  into  his  shoulder.  The  herd  then  crashed  along 
through  the  jungle  to  my  right,  but  he  at  once  broke  away 
from  them  and  took  to  my  left.  On  examining  his  track,  I 
found  it  bloody.  I  then  went  to  meet  my  wagons,  which  I 

31*  (365) 


366 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


A  PALLAH. 

heard  coming,  and,  ordering  the  men  to  outspan,  I  took  all  my 
dogs  to  the  track.  They  ran  it  up  in  fine  style,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  the  silence  of  the  forest  was  disturbed  by  a  tremen- 
dous bay.  On  running  towards  the  sound,  I  met  the  old 
bull  coming  on  toward  the  wagons,  with  all  my  dogs  after 
him.  I  saluted  him  with  a  second  ball  in  the  shoulder ;  he 
held  on  and  took  up  a  position  in  the  thicket  within  forty 
yards  of  the  wagons,  where  I  finished  him.  He  carried  a 
most  splendid  head. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  we  made  the  long  wished-for  fair  Lim- 
popo an  hour  before  sunset.  I  was  at  once  struck  with  this 
most  interesting  river ;  the  trees  along  its  sides  were  of  pro- 
digious size  and  very  great  beauty.  At  the  very  spot  where 
I  made  the  water,  a  huge  crocodile  lay  upon  the  sand  on  the 
opposite  side ;  on  observing  me  he  dashed  into  the  stream. 

The  next  day  I  rode  ahead  of  the  wagons  with  Euyter,  and 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA. 


367 


A  WATERBUCK. 

hunted  along  the  bank  of  the  river.  I  immediately  shot  a 
waterbuck.  This  animal  and  the  pallah  are  very  abundant.  As 
I  advanced  I  found  large  marshes  along  the  river  side,  a  favorite 
haunt  of  the  waterbuck.  After  breakfast  I  again  rode  forth 
with  fresh  horses  with  my  Bushman.  We  still  found  water- 
buck  and  pallah  very  abundant.  I  presently  gave  chase  to 
a  herd  of  the  former  to  try  their  speed  ;  but  as  they  led  me 
into  the  midst  of  a  labyrinth  of  marshes,  I  gave  it  up. 

At  that  instant  the  Bushman  whispered  "Sir,  Sir;"  and 
looking  to  my  right,  two  princely  old  buffaloes  stood  in  the 
jungle  within  forty  yards  of  me.  They  got  my  wind,  and 
started  before  I  could  get  ready  to  fire.  They  held  along  the 
river-bank  ahead  of  me,  but  not  requiring  them  I  did  not  give 
chase.  After  this  I  came  upon  a  huge  crocodile  basking  on 
the  sand,  which  instantly  dashed  into  the  stream.  I  now  got 
into  a  vast  labyrinth  of  marshes  of  great  extent.  Several 
species  of  wild  duck  and  a  variety  of  water  fowl,  three  sorts 


368  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

of  large  partridge,  and  two  kinds  of  quail  being  likewise 
numerous. 

I  presently  wounded  a  noble  old  waterbuck  as  he  dashed 
past  me  in  marshy  ground.  In  following  him  up  I  met  an 
old  buck  pallah,  which  I  killed  on  the  spot  with  a  shot  in  the 
middle  of  the  breast.  Following  on  after  the  wounded  water- 
buck,  along  the  high  bank  of  the  river,  which  was,  however, 
concealed  from  my  view  by  the  dense  cover,  I  suddenly  heard 
a  loud  splash,  and  coming  suddenly  clear  of  the  cover,  I 
beheld  the  lovely  waterbuck  standing  broadside  on  an  island 
in  the  middle  of  the  river.  Before  I  could  dismount  to  fire, 
he  dashed  into  the  water  and  swam  to  the  opposite  bank.  I 
grasped  my  trusty  little  Moore  and  waited  till  he  won  the 
terra  firma,  when  with  one  well-directed  shot  I  dropped  him 
on  the  spot.  A  very  strange  thing  then  occurred ;  the  buck 
in  his  death-pangs  slid  down  into  the  river,  and  continuing 
his  struggles  he  swam  half-way  across  the  river  back  to  the 
island,  where  he  lay  upon  a  sand-bank.  I  then  divested  my- 
self of  my  leathers,  spurs,  and  veldtschoens,  and  was  wading 
in  to  fetch  him,  when  the  river  carrried  him  off,  and,  fearing 
the  horrible  crocodiles,  I  did  not  attempt  to  follow.  It  was 
now  late,  and  I  rode  for  my  wagon  track,  which  I  failed  to 
find  until  I  had  returned  to  where  we  had  breakfasted.  I  had 
been  following  the  turns  of  the  river,  and  the  wagons  had 
taken  a  short  cut  across  the  country.  I  reached  them  in  the 
dark  by  great  good  luck. 

On  the  10th,  I  rode  ahead  of  my  wagons  at  day-dawn : 
thick  mist  was  rolling  along  the  Limpopo.  Presently  I  saw 
two  crocodiles  in  the  stream  below  me.  A  little  after  I  had 
the  pleasure  to  find,  for  the  first  time,  the  tracks  of  sea-cows 
or  hippopotami.  I  had  never  before  seen  it,  but  I  knew  it 
must  be  theirs ;  it  was  very  similar  to  the  track  of  borele,  or 
black  rhinoceros,  but  larger,  and  had  four  toes  instead  of 
three.  Before  returning  to  my  wagons  I  tried  to  ride  down 
a  waterbuck  which  I  turned  off  from  the  river,  but  in  this  I 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA, 


369 


\\ 

•I 


THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 

failed,  though  I  managed  to  keep  close  to  him  in  the  chase, 
and  eventually  knocked  him  up  along  with  my  horse. 

I  again  sallied  forth  with  the  Bushman  and  fresh  steeds, 
and,  directing  the  wagons  to  take  the  straight  course,  I  fol- 
lowed the  windings  of  the  river.  Presently,  looking  over  the 
bank,  I  beheld  three  enormous  crocodiles  basking  on  the  sand 
on  the  opposite  side.  I  was  astonished  at  their  awful  size 
and  appearance,  one  of  them  appearing  to  be  sixteen  or 
eighteen  feet  in  length,  with  a  body  as  thick  as  that  of  an 
ox.  On  observing  us  they  plunged  into  the  dead  water  by 
the  side  of  the  stream.  The  next  minute,  one  of  them  popping 
up  his  terrible  head  in  the  middle  of  the  stream,  I  made  a 
beautiful  shot,  and  sent  a  ball  through  the  middle  of  his 
brains.  The  convulsions  of  death  which  followed  were  truly 
awful.  At  first  he  sank  for  an  instant  to  the  shot,  but  in- 
stantly striking  the  bottom  with  his  tail  he  shot  up  above  the 
water,  when  he  struggled  violently,  sometimes  on  his  back 
and  then  again  on  his  belly,  with  at  one  time  his  head  and 


370 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


HUNTING  THE  LION. 

fore  feet  above  the  water,  and  immediately  after  his  tail  and 
hind  legs,  the  former  lashing  the  water  with  a  force  truly- 
astounding.  Clouds  of  sand  accompanied  him  in  all  his 
movements,  the  strong  stream  carrying  him  along  with  it, 
till  at-  length  the  struggle  of  death  was  over,  and  he  sunk  to 
rise  no  more. 

Following  the  windings  of  the  river,  I  detected  a  small 
crocodile  basking  on  the  sand,  when  I  gave  him  a  shot  and 
he  instantly  plunged  into  the  river.  A  little  farther  I  wounded 
a  third  as  he  lay  on  a  promontory  of  sand,  and  he  likewise 
made  the  water.  A  little  farther  down  the  stream,  yet 
another  crocodile,  a  huge  old  sinner,  lay  basking  on  the  sand. 
I  determined  to  make  a  very  correct  shot  in  this  case,  and 
set  about  stalking  him.  Creeping  up  behind  the  body  of  a 
prostrate  old  tree,  I  took  a  rest  and  sent  the  ball  into  his 
nostril,  when  he  plunged  into  the  river,  coloring  the  water 
with  his  blood. 

We  now  got  into  a  fine  green  turn  of  the  river,  where  I 
saw  a  great  many  waterbucks.  I  shot  one  buck  pallah,  and 
immediately  after  I  came  suddenly  upon  a  troop  of  five  or  six 


HUNTING  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA.  371 

beautiful  leopards.  At  the  next  bend  of  the  river  three  huge 
crocodiles  lay  on  the  sand  on  the  opposite  side.  Stalking 
within  easy  range,  I  shot  one  of  them  in  the  head :  his  com- 
rades instantly  dashed  into  the  water,  but  he  lay  as  if  dead 
high  on  the  sand.  A  second  shot,  however,  through  the  ribs 
brought  him  back  to  life.  On  receiving  it  he  kept  running 
round  and,  snapping  his  horrid  jaws  fearfully  at  his  own 
wounded  side.  In  the  convusions  of  death  he  made  one  run 
clean  away  from  the  water,  but  another  unlucky  turn  brought 
his  head  toward  the  river,  into  which  he  eventually  rolled. 
Galloping  along  from  this  place  to  my  wagons,  I  came  sud- 
denly upon  a  lion  and  lioness  lying  in  the  grass  below  a  gi- 
gantic old  mimosa.  Dismounting  from  my  horse,  I  took  a 
couple  of  shots  at  the  lion,  missing  him  with  my  first,  but 
wounding  him  with  my  second  shot,  when  he  rose  with  several 
angry  short  growls  and  bounded  off.  A  few  hundred  yards 
farther  on  I  found  my  wagons  drawn  up,  and  on  reaching 
them  my  men  informed  me  that  they  had  just  seen  two  huge 
hippopotami  in  the  river  beneath.  Proceeding  to  the  spot, 
we  found  them  still  swimming  there.  I  shot  one,  putting 
three  balls  into  his  head,  but  night  setting  in  we  lost  him. 


A  HYENA. 


ffye  0Hjx. 


THE  oryx,  or  gemsbok,  to  which  I  was  now  about  to  direct 
my  attention  more  particularly,  says  Mr.  Gumming,  is  about 
the  most  beautiful  and  remarkable  of  all  the  antelope  tribe. 
It  is  the  animal  which  is  supposed  to  have  given  rise  to  the 
fable  of  the  unicorn,  from  its  long,  straight  horns,  when  seen, 
in  profile,  so  exactly  covering  one  another  as  to  give  it  the 
appearance  of  having  but  one.  It  possesses  the  erect  mane, 
long,  sweeping  black  tail,  and  general  appearance  of  the  horse, 
with  the  head  and  hoof  of  an  antelope.  It  is  robust  in  its 
form,  squarely  and  compactly  built,  and  very  noble  in  its  bear- 
ing. Its  height  is  about  that  of  an  ass,  and  in  color  it  slightly 
resembles  that  animal.  The  beautiful  black  bands  which 
(372) 


HUNTING  THE  ORYX.  373 

eccentrically  adorn  its  head,  giving  it  the  appearance  of 
a  stall  collar,  together  with  the  manner  in  which  the  rump  and 
thighs  are  painted,  impart  to  it  a  character  peculiar  to  itself. 
The  adult  male  measures  three  feet  ten  inches  in  height  at  the 
shoulder. 

The  gemsbok  was  destined  by  nature  to  adorn  the  parched 
karroos  and  arid  deserts  of  South  Africa,  for  which  description 
of  country  it  is  admirably  adapted.  It  thrives  and  attains 
high  condition  in  barren  regions,  where  it  might  be  imagined 
that  a  locust  would  not  find  subsistence,  and,  burning  as  is  the 
climate,  it  is  perfectly  independent  of  water,  which,  from  my 
own  observation,  and  the  repeated  reports  both  of  the  Boers 
and  aborigines,  I  am  convinced  it  never  by  any  chance  tastes. 
Its  flesh  is  deservedly  esteemed,  and  ranks  next  to  the  eland. 
At  certain  seasons  of  the  year  they  carry  a  great  quantity  of 
fat,  at  which  time  they  can  more  easily  be  ridden  into.  Owing 
to  the  even  nature  of  the  ground  which  the  oryx  frequents,  its 
shy  and  suspicious  disposition,  and  the  extreme  distance  from 
water  to  which  it  must  be  followed,  it  is  never  stalked  or  driven 
to  an  ambush  like  other  antelopes,  but  is  hunted  on  horseback, 
and  ridden  down  by  a  long,  severe,  tail-on-end  chase.  Of 
several  animals  in  South  Africa  which  are  hunted  in  this 
manner,  and  may  be  ridden  into  by  a  horse,  the  oryx  is  by 
far  the  swiftest  and  most  enduring.  They  are  widely  diffused 
throughout  the  centre  and  western  parts  of  South  Africa. 

The  oryx,  says  Mr.  Wood,  animal,  is  well  known  among 
hunters  as  the  only  antelope  that  revenges  itself  on  the  lion. 
When  the  lion  springs  on  it,  it  lowers  its  sharp  horns,  receiving 
the  lion  on  their  points.  It  invariably  perishes  by  the  shock, 
but  the  lion  also  perishes  with  it.  Their  skeletons  have  been 
seen  lying  together  bleached  on  the  plain. 


32 


A  KOODOO. 


ABOUT  three  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  25th,  says  Mr. 
Gumming,  I  rode  north-east,  to  look  out  for  roan  antelopes, 
which,  next  to  the  eland,  are  the  largest  in  the  world ;  and 
heing  incapable  of  great  speed,  may  at  times  be  ridden  into 
with  a  good  horse.  I  was  accompanied  by  Cobus  and  Jacob.  We 
found  the  country  covered  with  bushes,  of  which  the  majority 
were  of  a  most  impracticable  description,  reminding  me  of  a 
kill-devil,  an  implement  used  in  angling,  they  being  covered 
with  thorns  on  the  fish-hook  principle.  This  variety  of  mi- 
374 


HUNTING  THE  KOODOO.  375 

mosa  is  waggishly  called  by  the  Boers  "  vyacht  um  bige,"  or 
wait-a-bit  thorns,  as  they  continually  solicit  the  passing  tra- 
veller not  to  be  in  a  hurry ;  if  he  disregards  which  request, 
the  probability  is  that  he  leaves  a  part  of  his  shirt  or  trowsers 
in  their  possession.  Here  and  there  were  hills  covered  with 
adamantine  rocks,  through  which,  however,  there  was  an 
abundance  of  excellent  grass  and  fine  green  bushes.  In  short, 
it  was  just  the  country  to  suit  the  tastes  of  the  rock-loving 
koodoos.  Having  proceeded  some  miles,  we  discovered  fresh 
tracks  of  a  troop  of  them  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  ranges  of 
hills.  We  then  crossed  to  the  ridge,  still  finding  tracks,  and 
the  country  becoming  more  and  more  likely. 

Suddenly,  on  raising  our  eyes,  we  saw  standing  on  the  hill 
side,  within  three  hundred  yards  of  us,  five  buck  koodoos, 
four  of  which  were  tearing  old  fellows  carrying  extremely 
fine  horns ;  and  majestic  as  they  were,  the  elevated  position 
which  they  occupied  imparted  to  them  a  still  more  striking 
appearance.  We  galloped  towards  them,  on  which  they 
bounded  higher  up  the  rocky  hill,  and  stood  for  a  few  seconds 
looking  at  us. 

I  had  seen  many  sights  thrilling  to  a  sportman,  but  few  to 
surpass  what  I  then  beheld.  I  think  an  old  buck  koodoo, 
when  seen  standing  broadside  on,  is  decidedly  one  of  the 
grandest-looking  antelopes  in  the  world.  They  now  broke 
into  two  lots,  the  two  finest  bucks  holding  to  the  left,  and  to 
these  we  gave  chase.  They  led  us  over  the  most  terrific 
ground  for  horses  that  can  be  imagined.  It  consisted  of  a 
mass  of  large  sharp  adamantine  pieces  of  rock ;  even  the 
koodoos  themselves  made  bad  weather  of  it.  Cobus,  on  this 
occasion,  rode  in  a  manner  which  astonished  me.  He  was 
mounted  on  "  The  Cow,"  which  steed,  having  in  its  youth  led 
an  unrestrained  life,  as  most  Cape  horses  do,  in  the  rugged 
mountains  of  the  Hantam,  bounded  along  the  hill  side  in  a 
style  worthy  of  a  klipspringer.  A  flat  of  considerable  extent, 
covered  with  tall  bushes,  intervened  between  us  and  a  long 


376  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


A  KLIPSPRINGER. 

rajige  of  high  table-land  to  the  northward,  along  the  base  of 
which,  for  an  extent  of  many  miles,  stretched  a  dense  forest 
of  wait-a-bit  thorns  and  mimosas.  This  forest  was  the  head- 
quarters of  the  koodoos,  and  for  it  they  now  held,  breaking 
away  across  the  above-mentioned  flat.  That  forest,  however, 
the  finest  koodoo  was  destined  never  to  reach.  As  soon  as 
we  got  clear  of  the  rocky  ground  our  horses  gained  upon  them 
at  every  stride;  and  Cobus,  who  was  invariably  far  before 
me  in  every  chase,  was  soon  alongside  of  the  finest.  Here, 
in  the  dense  bushes,  we  lost  sight  of  his  comrade.  Cobus 
very  soon  prevailed  on  the  koodoo  to  alter  his  tack,  and  strike 
off  at  a  tangent  from  his  former  course ;  when,  by  Jtahing  a 
short  cut  like  a  grayhound  running  cunning,  I  got  within 
range,  and  with  a  single  ball  I  rolled  him  over  in  the  dust.  I 
felt  more  pleasure  in  obtaining  this  fine  specimen  of  a  buck 
koodoo  than  any  thing  I  had  yet  shot  in  Africa.  He  was  a 
first-rate  old  buck,  and  carried  a  pair  of  ponderous,  long, 
wide-set  spiral  horns. 


HUNTING  THE  KOODOO.  377 

Owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ground  which  they  frequent,  it 
is  a  very  difficult  matter  to  ride  them  down,  and  they  are 
usually  obtained  by  stalking  or  stealing  stealthily  upon  them. 
When,  however,  the  hunter  discovers  a  heavy  old  buck  koodoo 
on  level  ground,  there  is  no  great  difficulty  to  ride  into  him, 
his  speed  and  endurance  being  very  inferior  to  that  of  the 
oryx.  I  could  have  stood  contemplating  him  for  hours,  but 
darkness  was  fast  setting  in  ;  so,  having  off-saddled  and  knee- 
haltered  our  horses,  we  carefully  removed  the  head  and  com- 
menced skinning  him.  The  skin  of  the  koodoo,  though  thin, 
is  extremely  tough,  and  is  much  prized  by  the  colonists  for 
"  foreslocks,"  or  lashes  for  ox-wagon  whips.  The  koodoo 
skin  was  my  mattrass,  my  saddle  was  my  pillow ;  and  supper- 
less  I  lay  down  to  rest,  without  any  covering  save  an  old 
shirt  and  a  pair  of  leather  crackers.  The  excitement  of  the 
thrilling  sport  which  I  had  enjoyed  prevented  my  sleeping 
until  a  late  hour ;  and  when  at  length  I  closed  my  eyes,  I 
dreampt  that  I  was  surrounded  by  a  troop  of  lions,  and  awaking 
with  a  loud  cry,  startled  my  men  and  horses. 


32' 


THE  GNOO. 


AMONG  the  animals  most  frequently  met  with  by  Mr.  Gum- 
ming, in  South  Africa,  were  the  zebra  and  the  gnoo.  We 
have  already  noticed  the  latter.  The  former  is  hunted  by 
the  natives  with  spears  and  assagais.  The  following  extract 
shows  that  Mr.  Gumming  sometimes  shot  them. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d,  I  rode  east  with  after-riders 
and  a  pack-horse.  The  country  through  which  we  passed 
resembled  a  vast  interminable  park,  being  adorned  with  a 
continued  succession  of  picturesque  dwarfish  forest  trees,  single 
and  in  groups.  Such,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  grassy 
open  plains,  is  the  character  of  the  country  from  Sikagole, 
as  far  as  the  mountains  of  Bakatla.  We  failed  to  fall  in  with 
elands,  but  I  succeeded  in  bringing  down  two  zebras  and  a 
(378) 


HUNTING  THE  ZEBRA  AND  RHINOCEROS.  381 

hartebeest,  which,  along  with  sassaybys,  oryx,  and  ostriches, 
now  becoming  daily  more  abundant. 

On  the  31st  we  reached  the  Kurrichane  mountain  range. 
Having  crossed  these,  we  proceeded  up  the  valley  about  three 
miles,  when  we  reached  a  gorge  in  the  mountains  which  con- 
nected this  fine  valley  with  the  great  strath  or  vale  of  Bakatla. 
Through  this  gorge  ran  a  stream  of  the  purest  crystal  water. 
Our  road  lay  along  the  margin  of  this  stream,  across  large 
masses  of  stone  and  ledges  of  rock,  which  threatened  every 
moment  the  destruction  of  our  wagons. 

Following  the  stream  for  half  a  mile,  we  arrived  at  Mabotza, 
the  kraal  of  Mosielely,  king  of  Bakatlas,  a  tribe  of  Bechuanas. 
Here  I  was  kindly  received  by  Dr.  Livingstone,  the  resident 
missionary.  The  vale  of  Bakatla,  which  I  had  now  reached, 
is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in  Africa.  It  is  a  broad 
and  level  strath  extending  from  east  to  west,  and  bounded  by 
picturesque  rocky  mountains,  beautifully  wooded  to  their 
summits.  In  parts  the  strath  is  adorned  with  groves  and 
patches  of  beautiful  forest  trees  of  endless  variety ;  in  others 
it  is  open,  carpeted  with  a  goodly  coating  of  luxuriant  grass. 
A  large  portion  of  the  valley,  opposite  to  the  town,  is  culti- 
vated by  the  Bakatla  women,  and  a  succession  of  extensive 
cornfields  stretched  away  to  the  northward  of  the  kraal. 
These  had  lately  been  denuded  of  their  crops,  but  a  goodly 
show  of  pumpkins  and  watermelons  still  remained  on  the  fields. 
The  following  day  was  Sunday,  and  I  attended  Divine  service 
in  a  temporary  place  of  worship  that  had  been  erected  by  the 
missionaries.  It  was  amusing  to  remark,  in  the  costume  of 
the  Bakatlas  on  this  occasion,  the  progress  of  civilization. 
All  those  who  managed  to  get  hold  of  some  European  article 
of  dress  had  donned  it,  some  appearing  in  trowsers  without 
shirts,  and  others  in  shirts  without  trowsers. 

The  2nd  of  June  was  the  coldest  day  I  had  experienced  in 
Africa,  a  cutting  cold  wind  blowing  off  the  Southern  Ocean. 
On  the  morning  of  the  2nd  I  was  waited  upon  by  Mosielely, 


382  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

attended  by  a  number  of  his  nobility  and  others  of  the  tribe, 
who  flocked  around  my  wagons  importunately  requesting 
snuff.  The  appearance  of  the  chief  was  mild,  but  not  dignified. 
One  of  his  generals,  with  whom  he  seemed  to  be  on  very  in- 
timate terms,  was  a  jolly-looking  old  warrior  with  a  wall  eye. 
and  a  face  strongly  marked  with  the  small-pox. 

This  man's  name  was  "  Siemi."  He  had  killed  about  twenty 
men  in  battle  with  his  own  hand,  and  bore  a  mark  of  honor 
for  every  man.  This  mark  was  a  line  tattooed  on  his  ribs. 
Mosielely  presented  me  with  a  bag  of  sour  milk,  and  requested 
that  I  would  tarry  with  him  for  a  few  day  for  the  purpose  of 
trading.  I  informed  him  that  I  was  anxious  to  push  on  to 
the  country  of  the  elephants,  but  would  trade  with  him  on 
my  return.  This  intimation  seemed  very  much  to  disappoint 
the  king,  who  was  anxious  to  exchange  karosses  for  guns  and 
ammunition.  But  I  had  resolved  to  part  with  my  muskets 
solely  for  ivory,  which  article  Mosielely  on  this  particular 
occasion  did  not  possess. 

The  following  extract  exhibits  Mr.  Cumming's  mode  of 
hunting  the  rhinoceros.  "  Having  eaten  my  steak,  I  rode  to 
my  wagons,  where  I  partook  of  coffee,  and  having  mounted  a 
fresh  horse  I  again  set  forth,  accompanied  by  Carollus  lead- 
ing a  pack  horse,  to  bring  home  the  head  of  the  eland  and  a 
supply  of  the  flesh :  I  took  all  my  dogs  along  with  me  to  share 
in  the  banquet.  We  had  not  proceeded  far  when  the  dogs 
went  ahead  on  some  scent.  Spurring  my  horse,  I  followed 
through  the  thorny  bushes  as  best  I  might,  and,  emerging  on 
an  open  glade,  I  beheld  two  huge  white  rhinoceroses  trotting 
along  before  me.  The  dogs  attacked  them  with  fury,  and  a 
scene  of  intense  excitement  took  place.  The  Old  Grey,  on 
observing  them,  pricked  up  his  ears  and  seemed  only  half 
inclined  to  follow,  but  a  sharp  application  of  the  spur  re- 
minded him  of  his  duty,  and  I  was  presently  riding  within 
ten  yards  of  the  stern  of  the  largest,  and  sent  a  bullet  through 
her  back.  The  Old  Grey  shied  considerably  and  became  very 


HUNTING  THE  ZEBRA  AND  RHINOCEROS.  385 

unmanageable,  and  on  one  occasion,  in  consequence,  the 
rhinoceros,  finding  herself  hemmed  in  by  a  bend  in  a  water- 
course, turned  round  to  charge  :  I  had  a  very  narrow  escape. 
Presently,  galloping  up  on  one  side,  I  gave  her  a  bad  wound 
in  the  shoulder,  soon  after  which  she  came  to  bay  in  the  dry 
bed  of  a  river.  Dismounting  from  my  horse,  I  commenced 
loading,  but  before  this  was  accomplished  she  was  off  once 
more.  I  followed  her,  putting  on  my  caps  as  I  rode,  and 
coming  up  alongside  I  made  a  fine  shot  from  the  saddle,  firing 
at  the  gallop.  The  ball  entered  somewhere  near  the  heart. 
On  receiving  this  shot  she  reeled  about,  while  torrents  of  blood 
streamed  from  her  mouth  and  wounds,  and  presently  she 
rolled  over  and  expired  uttering  a  shrill  screaming  sound  as 
she  died,  which  rhinoceroses  invariably  do  in  the  agonies  of 
death. 

The  chase  had  led  me  close  in  along  the  northern  base  of 
a  lofty  detached  mountain,  the  highest  in  all  that  country. 
This  mountain  is  called  by  the  Bechuanas,  the  Mountain  of 
the  Eagles.  The  eland  which  I  had  shot  in  the  morning  lay 
somewhere  to  the  southward  of  this  mountain,  but  far  in  the 
level  forest.  Having  rounded  the  mountain,  I  began  to  re- 
cognise the  ground,  and  presently  I  had  the  satisfaction  to 
behold  a  few  vultures  soaring  over  the  forest  in  advance,  and, 
on  proceeding  a  short  distance  farther,  large  groups  of  these 
birds  were  seated  on  the  gray  and  weather-beaten  branches 
of  the  loftiest  trees  of  the  forest.  This  was  a  certain  sign 
that  the  eland  was  not  far  distant  ;  and  on  raising  my  voice 
and  calling  loudly  on  the  name  of  Carollus,  I  was  instantly 
answered  by  that  individual,  who,  heedless  of  his  master's 
fate,  was  actively  employod  in  cooking  for  himself  a  choice 
steak  from  the  dainty  rump  of  the  eland.  That  night  I  slept 
beneath  the  blue  and  starry  canopy  of  heaven.  My  sleep  was 
light  and  sweet,  and  no  rude  dreams  or  hankering  cares 
disturbed  the  equanimity  of  my  repose. 

33 


THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 


Jflppopotytyi. 


"  I  BODE  forth  at  sunrise  on  the  28th,"  says  Mr.  Gumming, 
"  ordering  my  wagons  to  follow  in  two  hours.  Seleka  had 
sent  two  men  down  the  river,  before  it  was  clear,  to  seek  sea- 
cows  ;  and  they  soon  came  running  after  me  to  say  that  they 
had  found  some.  I  accordingly  followed  them  to  the  river, 
where,  in  a  long,  broad,  and  deep  bend,  were  four  hippopo- 
tami, two  full-grown  cows,  a  small  cow,  and  a  calf.  At  the 
tail  of  this  pool  was  a  strong  and  rapid  stream,  which  thun- 
dered along  in  Highland  fashion  over  large  masses  of  dark 
rock. 

"  On  coming  to  the  shady  bank,  I  could  at  first  see  only 
one  old  cow  and  a  calf.  When  they  dived  I  ran  into  the 
reeds,  and  as  the  cow  came  up  I  shot  her  in  the  head  ;  she; 
(386) 


HUNTING  THE  HIPPOPOTAMI.  387 

however,  got  away  down  the  river,  and  I  lost  her.  The  other 
three  took  away  up  the  river,  and  became  very  shy,  remaining 
under  the  water  for  five  minutes  at  a  time,  and  then  only 
popping  their  heads  up  for  a  few  seconds.  I  accordingly  re- 
mained quiet  behind  the  reeds,  in  hope  of  their  dismissing 
their  alarms.  Presently  the  two  smaller  ones  seemed  to  be 
no  longer  frightened,  popping  up  their  entire  heads,  and  re- 
maining above  water  for  a  minute  at  a  time ;  but  the  third, 
which  was  by  far  the  largest,  and  which  I  thought  must  be  a 
bull  continued  extremely  shy,  remaining  under  the  water  for 
ten  minutes  at  a  time,  and  then  just  showing  her  face  for  a 
second,  making  a  blowing  like  a  whale,  and  returning  to  the 
bottom.  I  stood  there  with  rifle  at  my  shoulder,  and  my 
eye  on  the  sight,  until  I  was  quite  tired.  I  thought  I  should 
never  get  a  chance  at  her,  and  had  just  resolved  to  fire  at  one 
of  the  smaller  ones,  when  she  shoved  up  half  her  head  and 
looked  about  her.  I  made  a  correct  shot ;  the  ball  cracked 
loudly  below  her  ear,  and  the  huge  body  of  the  sea-cow  came 
floundering  to  the  top.  I  was  enchanted;  she  could  not 
escape.  Though  not  dead  she  had  lost  her  senses,  and  con- 
tinued swimming  round  and  round,  sometimes  beneath  and 
sometimes  at  the  surface  of  the  water,  creating  a  fearful 
commotion. 

"  Hearing  my  wagons  coming  on,  I  sent  a  message  to  my 
followers  to  outspan,  and  to  come  and  behold  Behemoth 
floundering  in  her  native  element.  When  they  came  up  I 
finished  her  with  a  shot  in  the  neck,  upon  which  she  instantly 
sank  to  the  bottom,  and  disappeared  in  the  strong  rapid  tor- 
rent at  the  tail  of  the  sea-cow  hole.  There  she  remained  for 
a  long  time,  and  I  thought  I  had  lost  her,  but  the  natives 
said  that  she  would  soon  reappear.  Being  in  want  of  refresh- 
ment, I  left  my  people  to  watch  for  the  resurrection  of  Behe- 
moth, and  I  held  to  the  wagons  to  feed.  While  taking  my 
breakfast  there  was  a  loud  hue-and-cry  among  the  natives, 
that  the  koodoo  had  floated  and  was  sailing  down  the  river.  It 


388  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

was  so,  and  my  Hottentots  swam  in  and  brought  her  to  the 
bank.  Her  flesh  proved  most  excellent.  In  the  afternoon  I 
rode  down  the  river  with  Ruyter,  and  shot  one  very  splendid 
old  waterbuck,  with  a  princely  head,  which  I  kept. 

The  next  day,  after  proceeding  a  few  miles,  I  killed  a  very 
fine  buck  of  the  serolomootlooque.  I  again  rode  down  the 
river's  bank,  with  two  after-riders,  to  seek  hippopotami,  the 
natives  reporting  that  they  were  to  be  found  in  a  pool  in  ad- 
vance, where  another  river  joined  the  Limpopo.  After  riding 
a  short  distance  I  found  the  banks  unusually  green  and  shady, 
and  very  much  frequented  by  the  sea-cow ;  and  presently  in 
a  broad,  deep,  and  long  still  bend  of  the  river,  I  disturbed 
the  game  I  sought. 

"  They  were  lying  in  their  sandy  beds  among  the  rank  reeds 
at  the  river's  margin,  and  on  hearing  me  galloping  over  the 
gravelly  shingle  between  the  bank  and  the  reeds,  the  deposit 
of  some  great  flood,  they  plunged  into  their  native  strong- 
hold in  dire  alarm,  and  commenced  blowing,  snorting,  and 
uttering  a  sound  very  similar  to  that  made  by  the  musical 
instrument  called  a  serpent.  It  was  a  fairish  place  for  an 
attack,  so,  divesting  myself  of  my  leather  trowsers,  I  ordered 
my  after-riders  to  remain  utterly  silent,  and  then  crept  cau- 
tiously forward,  determined  not  to  fire  a  shot  until  I  had 
thoroughly  overhauled  the  herd  to  see  if  it  did  not  contain  a 
bull,  and  at  all  events  to  secure,  if  possible,  the  very  finest 
head  amongst  them. 

"  The  herd  consisted  of  about  fourteen  hippopotami ;  ten 
of  these  were  a  little  farther  down  the  stream  than  the  other 
four.  Having  carefully  examined  these  ten,  I  made  out  two 
particular  hippopotami  decidedly  larger  than  all  the  others. 
I  then  crept  a  little  distance  up  the  river  behind  the  reeds, 
to  obtain  a  view  of  the  others.  They  were  two  enormous  old 
cows  with  two  large  calves  beside  them.  The  old  ones  had 
exactly  the  same  size  of  head  as  the  two  best  cows  below ;  I 
accordingly  chose  what  I  thought  the  best  of  these  two,  and, 


HUNTING  THE  HIPPOPOTAMI.  389 

making  a  fine  shot  at  the  side  of  her  head,  I  at  once  disabled 
her.  She  disappeared  for  a  few  seconds,  and  then  came 
floundering  to  the  surface,  and  continued  swimming  round  and 
round,  sometimes  diving,  and  then  reappearing  with  a  loud 
splash  and  a  blowing  noise,  always  getting  slowly  down  the 
river,  until  I  reattacked  and  finished  her  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
farther  down,  about  an  hour  after.  The  other  sea-cows  were 
now  greatly  alarmed,  and  only  occasionally  put  up  their  heads, 
showing  but  a  small  part,  remaining  but  a  few  seconds  at  a  time. 
I,  however,  managed  to  select  one  of  the  three  remaining 
ones,  and,  making  a  most  perfect  shot,  I  sent  a  bullet  crash- 
ing into  her  brain.  This  caused  instantaneous  death,  and 
she  sank  to  the  bottom.  I  then  wounded  two  more  sea-cows 
in  the  head,  both  of  which  I  lost.  The  others  were  so  alarmed 
and  cunning  that  it  was  impossible  to  do  anything  with  them. 
The  one  I  had  first  shot  was  now  resting  with  half  her  body 
above  water  on  a  sandbank  in  the  Limpopo,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
other  river  Lepalala,  which  was  broad,  clear,  and  rapid.  From 
this  resting-place  I  started  her  with  one  shot  in  the  shoulder 
and  another  in  the  side  of  the  head  ;  this  last  shot  set  her  in 
motion  once  more,  she  commenced  struggling  in  the  water  in 
the  most  extraordinary  manner,  disappearing  for  a  few  se- 
conds and  then  coming  up  like  a  great  whale  setting  the  whole 
river  in  an  uproar.  Presently  she  took  away  down  the  stream, 
holding  to  the  other  side,  but,  again  returning,  I  finished  her 
with  a  shot  in  the  middle  of  the  forehead.  This  proved  a 
most  magnificent  specimen  of  the  female  of  the  wondrous  hip- 
popotamus, an  animal  with  which  I  was  extremely  surprised 
and  delighted.  She  far  surpassed  the  brightest  conceptions 
I  had  formed  of  her,  being  a  larger,  a  more  lively,  and  in 
every  way  a  more  interesting  animal  than  certain  writers  had 
led  me  to  expect.  On  securing  this  fine  sea-cow  I  immedi- 
ately cut  off  her  head  and  placed  it  high  and  dry  :  this  was  a 
work  of  considerable  difficulty  for  four  men. 

33* 


FUR  SEAL. 


IN  all  the  seas  in  which  they  are  found,  the  seals  frequent 
the  shores  only  at  a  certain  season  of  the  year,  and  appear 
to  disperse  themselves  more  generally  over  the  waters  during 
the  remaining  portion  of  it,  which  is  usually  much  longer 
than  that  in  which  they  throng  to  the  shores.  Those  of  the 
south  resort  chiefly  to  the  dreary  and  inhospitable  isles  which 
lie  off  the  southern  extremity  of  the  American  continent, 
though  they  also  come  in  considerable  numbers  to  the  shore, 
especially  the  south-west,  which  is  much  broken  by  inlets  of 
water  and  little  isles  with  channels  between.  The  south  of 
Africa  is  rather  warm  for  their  coming  to  it  in  any  conside- 
rable numbers ;  but  they  resort  in  formidable  array  to  the 
south  part  of  Australia,  and  especially  to  Bass's  Strait,  where 
(390) 


HUNTING  SEALS  AND  MORSES.  393 


COMMON  SEAL. 

the  islands  are  favorable  for  their  basking,  and  fish  are 
abundant  for  their  food.  In  the  northern  seas  they  resort  to 
the  shores  generally  in  the  high  latitudes ;  but  there  also 
they  prefer  the  islands  to  the  mainland.  Among  the  Aleu- 
tian islands,  and  in  all  the  basin  which  lies  between  these 
islands  and  Behring's  Straits,  the  seals  assemble  in  vast  mul- 
titudes; while  those  of  the  North  Atlantic  seek  both  the 
shores  of  the  northern  islands  and  the  borders  of  the  ice. 

When  they  resort  to  the  land  there  are  some  differences 
of  habit  among  them,  especially  among  those  of  the  south. 
Some  resort  to  the  open  sandy  beaches  ;  others  to  the  rocks 
which  are  surrounded  by  the  water,  and  others  again  to  the 
coarse  herbage  which  often  extends  to  the  margin  of  the 
water.  Fishes  are  understood  to  form  the  principal  food  of 
all  the  species ;  but  they  also  eat  polypi  and  other  floating 
animals,  and  even  sea-birds,  such  as  terns,  petrels,  and  the 
smaller  gulls,  which  are  usually  very  plentiful  in  the  great 
haunts  of  the  seals,  and  resort  to  them  for  nearly  the  same 
purpose  as  the  seals  do ;  only  they  eat  the  smaller  fishes, 
while  the  seals  prefer  the  larger  ones. 

Seals  are  not  easily  killed  my  means  of  cutting  instruments, 
for  though  the  wounds  bleed  copiously,  the  labor  of  killing 


394  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

them  in  this  way  is  great,  unless  some  of  the  more  vital  parts 
are  wounded.  But  the  great  developement  of  the  brain 
renders  them  much  more  vulnerable  in  the  head  than  in  any- 
other  part ;  and  the  quickest  way  of  dispatching  them  is  by 
beating  them  on  the  head  with  heavy  clubs.  This  is  exten- 
sively done  by  the  seal-fishers  at  Jan  Mayen,  where  the  ani- 
mals are  found  in  such  numbers,  that  the  men  can  knock 
them  on  the  head  till  they  are  absolutely  wearied  with  the 
slaughter ;  and  in  the  best  time  of  the  season  they  very  soon 
fill  a  boat,  or  even  a  ship  with  a  valuable  cargo.  The  seal- 
fishing  commences  earlier  in  the  season  than  the  whale-fishing ; 
and  when  the  fishing  vessels  that  resort  to  Old  Greenland, 
that  is,  to  the  vicinity  of  Spitzbergen,  arrive  too  early,  they 
bear  away  to  Jan  Mayen  for  the  seal-fishing.  Sometimes  the 
"  seal  club"  is  exercised  to  no  small  advantage  on  the  caverned 
shores  in  the  north  of  Britain.  These  caves  penetrate  to  such 
distances  in  the  rock,  that  they  are  quite  dark  for  a  conside- 
rable way.  The  seals  resort  there  to  take  their  siesta ;  and 
the  people  watch  their  time,  enter  the  cave  with  torches  and 
clubs,  and  the  seals,  alarmed  and  nearly  blinded  by  the  glare 
of  the  torches,  become  an  easy  prey.  There  is  of  course  a 
great  deal  of  scrambling  on  these  occasions ;  men  and  seals 
rolling  over  each  other  on  the  slippery  stones ;  and  sometimes 
a  seal  will  wrest  a  club  from  the  owner,  and  bear  it  off  in 
triumph  to  the  water. 

In  winter  the  Greenlanders  hunt  the  seals  on  the  ice,  creep- 
ing cautiously  up  to  them,  and  dispatching  them  with  spears 
and  clubs.  Icelanders  and  Laplanders  hunt  the  morse  in 
their  light,  watertight  boats,  spearing  them  in  the  water. 

In  early  times,  when  navigation  consisted  of  little  more 
than  coasting  and  crossing  the  narrow  seas,  the  seals  as  well 
as  the  Cetacea,  were  far  more  numerous  than  they  are  present : 
and  their  numbers  came  into  lower  latitudes.  But  the  fishery 
which  was  carried  on  at  first  by  the  Dutch,  and  lately  by  the 
British  and  the  Anglo-Americans,  has  greatly  thinned  their 


HUNTING  SEALS  AND  MORSES.  397 


A  MORSE. 

numbers,  and  confined  them  within  much  narrower  bounds 
than  they  previously  were.  Any  one  will  readily  understand 
that  seals  are  much  more  likely  to  have  their  numbers  thinned 
in  this  way  than  fishes ;  because  they  produce  only  one  or  two 
young  ones  at  a  time,  while  the  fishes  produce  thousands  or 
even  millions.  What  man  can  capture  by  all  his  arts  of  fair 
fishing  in  the  sea  is  not  missed  in  the  multitude  of  his  finny 
prey  ;  but  it  must  tell  in  the  case  of  the  seals.  Seals  are  also 
far  more  wary  and  sagacious  animals  than  fishes ;  and  thus, 
when  they  are  greatly  molested  on  one  ground,  they  are  very 
apt  to  shift  to  another.  Hence  those  of  the  North  Atlantic 
became  so  much  thinned,  that  adventurers,  chiefly  English  or 
American,  have  sought  for  them  in  all  the  inhospitable  regions 
of  the  south.  Those  fishing  expeditions  to  the  south,  having 
originated  in  a  more  enlightened  and  liberal  age  than  those 
of  the  north,  have  tended  to  increase  our  knowledge  of  those 
remote  seas.  These  discoveries  indeed  have  done  little  more 
than  show  that  there  really  is  nothing  to  be  discovered  except 
a  few  wild  rocks  covered  with  snow  for  the  greater  part  of 
the  year :  and  affording  resting  places  for  seals  and  sea-birds 
only.  But  this  is  something,  as  it  prevents  waste  of  time, 
which  would  otherwise  be  occasioned  in  seeking  that  which  is 
not  to  be  found.  Mr.  Weddel,  of  the  brig  Jane  of  Leith, 

34 


398  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

carried  discovery  into  a  higher  latitude  than  it  had  previously 
reached  in  those  seas.  On  the  20th  of  February,  1823,  he 
reached  the  latitude  of  seventy-four  degrees  fifteen  minutes, 
which  is  higher  by  two  hundred  miles  than  any  other  navi- 
gator had  penetrated  into  the  antartic  ice.  No  land,  how- 
ever, was  seen  in  that  longitude  (about  thirty-five  degrees 
west)  to  the  southward  of  New  Georgia,  which  is  a  distance 
on  the  meridian  of  about  fifteen  hundred  miles.  Since  that 
period  other  adventurous  navigators  have  proceeded  still  far- 
ther. As  the  seals  are  among  the  rocks,  or  in  the  more 
shallow  waters,  small  vessels  answer  best  for  this  fishery ; 
and  in  all  coasting  fisheries,  or  other  operations  in  the  water 
along  shore,  small  trim  vessels  are  always  the  safest  and  the 
most  manageable.  The  complement  of  men  is  abaut  twenty- 
four.  The  vessels  are  strongly  timbered  and  double  planked. 
The  rigging  of  the  vessels  is  also  very  simple,  but  very  sub- 
stantial. They  have  generally  a  smaller  vessel,  about  forty 
tons  burden,  which  can  be  stationed  near  the  shore  as  a  ge- 
neral rendezvous  for  the  fishing-boats,  which  are  usually  six 
in  number,  and  constructed  in  the  same  manner  as  whale- 
boats.  A  good  deal  of  skill  and  experience  are  required  in 
choosing  the  ground ;  and  when  the  proper  spot  has  been  se- 
lected, the  vessel  is  moored  in  a  safe  place,  and  the  apparatus 
for  boiling  the  oil  erected  on  the  beach.  The  small  vessel 
thus  acts  the  part  of  a  tender  between  the  boats  and  the  sta- 
tion. The  seals  are  chiefly  surprised  and  knocked  on  the  head 
while  on  the  rocks ;  and  when  this  is  over  for  the  time,  they 
are  skinned  and  cut  in  pieces,  which  are  stowed  away  in  the 
small  vessel.  A  load  of  the  small  vessel  consists  of  about  two 
hundred  seals,  which  yield  from  eighty  to  a  hundred  barrels 
of  oil.  When  the  vessel  arrives  at  the  part  where  the  boiling 
is  carried  on,  the  cargo  is  delivered  and  boiled,  the  flesh  of 
the  seals  after  the  oil  is  extracted  serving  for  fuel. 

This  fishing  is  one  of  great  hardship,  and  often  of  great 
peril.     The  ships  are  sometimes  out  for  three  years,  and  all 


HUNTING  SEALS  AND  MORSES.  401 


LONG-NOSED  SEAL. 

the  time  in  a  sea  which  is  any  thing  but  Pacific,  while  they 
are  often  at  the  distance  of  thousands  of  miles  from  any  sup- 
ply or  assistance.  Still,  when  successful,  it  is  profitable,  both 
for  the  oil  and  the  skins.  The  species  in  most  esteem  for 
oil  are  the  long-nosed  ones,  called  sea-elephants  by  the  fishers 
among  the  earless  seals,  and  the  maned-seal,  or  sea-horse, 
among  those  who  have  external  ears.  But  they  differ  much 
with  the  latitudes  and  also  with  the  longitudes  of  the  places 
at  which  they  are  taken.  Those  most  in  request  for  their 
fur  are  those  which  are  popularly  called  sea-bears ;  but  there 
are  many  species  which  get  the  name  of  fur-seals.  Seal  oil 
is  accounted  purer  and  better  than  that  of  the  Cetacea,  unless 
when  obtained  from  the  spermaceti,  or  half-crystallised  stea- 
rine ;  and  the  great  markets  for  it  are  Europe  and  America. 
The  three  principal  kinds  of  sea  oil  are  whale  oil,  seal  oil, 
and  cod  oil,  the  last  obtained  from  the  livers  of  the  fish,  and 
preferable  to  every  other  from  the  dressing  of  leather.  We 
believe  that,  by  some  absurd  custom-house  law,  whale  oil  is  the 
only  one  of  the  three  which  is  called  fish  oil,  although  it  is 
not  fish  oil ;  and  that,  in  some  places  at  least,  the  others 
escape  the  annoyance,  both  of  the  protections  and  prohibitions 
which  affect  this.  A  good  many  of  the  the  skins  are  also 

34* 


402 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


brought  to  Europe  and  America,  but  the  grand  market  for 
them  and  for  all  furs  is  China.  The  fur  seals  are  also  found 
upon  the  shores  of  the  southern  lands  in  May,  June,  July, 
and  part  of  August ;  and  they  return  again  in  November  and 
December,  at  which  time  the  females  produce  their  young, 
which  they  suckle  for  about  nine  months.  It  is  generally 
said  that  the  seals  swallow  pebbles  as  a  sort  of  ballast  before 
they  go  to  sea,  and  discharge  them  again  by  the  mouth  when 
they  come  on  land  ;  but  the  story  is  not  in  very  good  keeping 
with  what  we  observe  in  nature,  where  our  opportunities  of 
observing  are  more  favorable  than  they  are  in  the  case  of  the 
seals. 


THE  countries  around  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  with  the  larger 
islands  of  the  Malayan  peninsula,  are  the  principal  habitations 
of  these  formidable  animals  ;  and  they  appear  to  be  large  in 
size  and  powerful  in  action,  in  proportion  as  the  ground  which 
they  inhabit  is  fertile. 

There  is,  perhaps,  no  river  in  the  world  which  has  made  so 
extensive  deposits  in  the  lower  parts  of  its  valley,  or  where 
the  portions  near  the  sea  are  so  closely  tangled  with  vegeta- 
tation,  or  so  thickly  stocked  with  animals,  as  the  Ganges. 
The  Sunderbunds,  or  islands  formed  between  the  different 
mouths  of  the  Ganges,  the  name  of  which  signifies  a  forest 
of  rapidly-growing  trees,  form  altogether  a  triangle,  each 
side  of  which  is  nearly  two  hundred  miles  in  length,  or  alto- 
gether it  is  not  much  less  than  England.  This  may  be  con- 

(405) 


406  THRILLING   ADVENTURES. 

sidered  as  par  excellence,  the  demesne  or  park  of  Tippoo,  in 
which  he  reigns  in  splendid  but  ferocious  majesty.  It  is  true 
that  he  has  some  subjects  who  do  not  very  much  regard  his 
sway  upon  ordinary  occasions,  but  these  are  not  exceedingly 
numerous.  The  elephant  and  rhinoceros  are  both  met  with 
in  this  singularly  blended  scene  of  life  and  death ;  but  the 
ground  is  rather  soft  for  their  heavy  tread,  and  they  are 
consequently  but  rare.  The  gavial,  or  crocodile  of  the 
Ganges,  is  however  exceedingly  numerous,  and  very  large ; 
and  though  but  a  slow  and  sluggish  animal  upon  land,  it  often 
makes  prize  of  the  tigers  when  they  come  to  the  waters  to  drink. 
But,  with  the  exceptions  of  three  species  now  mentioned,  the 
tiger  lords  it  over  all  the  animals  of  this  wide  region,  and  very 
often  issues  from  it  to  invade  the  plantations  and  even  villages 
which  are  in  its  vicinity.  Swamps  and  jungles  of  smaller 
dimensions  are  formed  by  the  back  water  of  all  the  great 
rivers  of  India,  and  indeed  wherever  the  water  stagnates  ; 
and  where  such  jungles  are  formed,  tigers  are  always  to  be 
met  with  in  large  numbers.  The  greater  number  of  them 
keep  within  their  jungle,  because  the  woody  jungles  are 
greatly  interspersed  with  grassy  ones,  in  which  deer,  ante- 
lopes, and  other  animals  pasture ;  and  the  woods  themselves 
afford  an  ample  supply  of  wild  hogs,  monkeys,  and  other 
animals,  of  all  of  which  the  tigers  make  prey.  Sometimes, 
however,  they  issue  from  their  fastness ;  and,  as  when  they 
do  so,  they  are  generally  in  a  state  of  great  excitement,  they 
commit  terrible  ravages. 

When  they  make  these  inroads  into  the  habitations  of  men, 
or  of  tame  animals,  they  kill  much  more  than  they  eat ;  and 
it  has  thence  been  concluded  that  tigers  are  endowed  by  na- 
ture with  a  love  of  slaughter  unknown  to  any  other  animal. 
It  does  not  appear,  however,  that  this  is  the  case ;  for  though 
the  tiger  comes  more  into  the  settled  and  peopled  grounds  than 
the  lion,  yet  he  is  not  exactly  in  his  native  element  there, 
but  is  excited,  and  generally  also  alarmed,  and  therefore  does 


TIGER  HUNTING.  409 

not  rest  to  eat  what  lie  kills,  but  goes  on  attacking  and  killing 
indiscriminately.  In  his  native  jungles,  there  is  no  reason  to 
believe  that  he  commits  murder  for  the  sake  of  murder,  but 
simply  that  he  seeks  his  food  according  to  the  general  law 
observed  by  all  animals ;  and  that,  when  fed,  he  is  in  repose, 
and  quite  harmless,  as  well  as  the  rest.  Tigers  are  much 
more  numerous  in  those  jungles  than  perhaps  any  other  beast 
of  prey  in  any  part  of  the  world ;  and  as  the  individuals  are 
all  very  like  each  other,  it  is  possible  that  this  character  may 
have  arisen  from  one  tiger  getting  credit  for  having  done  that 
work  which  was  really  the  performance  of  a  dozen  or  more. 

Many  of  the  Islands  and  muddy  banks  in  the  tiger's 
country  are  held  as  sacred  by  the  superstitious  Hindoos,  and 
as  such,  they  are  resorted  to  by  devotees.  These  devotees 
very  often  fall  a  prey  to  the  tigers  ;  but  as  not  a  few  of  them 
go  to  such  places  for  the  express  purpose  of  seeking  death,  it 
is  possible  that  death  by  a  tiger,  by  being  more  brief,  is  at- 
tended with  less  real  suffering  than  starving  to  death  in  a 
region  where  the  atmosphere  is  pestilence.  When  the  water 
is  high,  and  boats  can  pass  near  the  trees  which  cover  these 
islands,  such  approaches  are  highly  dangerous,  because  a 
tiger  will  spring  for  a  very  considerable  distance  from  the 
jungle  upon  a  boat  full  of  armed  men,  and  make  off  with  one 
of  them  before  the  rest  have  time  to  offer  any  resistance. 
Even  when  parties  of  mounted  soldiers  ride  too  close  to  the 
tiger  jungles,  the  tiger  will  sometimes  spring,  seize  a  horse- 
man, and  be  off  with  him  almost  before  those  with  him  are 
aware  of  it. 

In  places  which  are  not  so  humid  as  the  jungles  of  the  Sun- 
derbunds,  tigers  do  not  attain  the  same  size,  but  they  are 
more  active,  and  on  this  account  more  dangerous  to  the  inha- 
bitants. In  the  larger  islands,  Sumatra  and  Java  especially 
(we  know  less  of  the  interior  of  Borneo,)  these  animals  are 
highly  destructive.  They  not  only  intercept  the  people  in 
journeys  through  the  woods, — and,  from  the  nature  of  the  cli- 

35 


410  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

mate,  the  greater  part  of  the  surface  is  either  wood  or  culti- 
vated fields, — they  also  carry  them  off  not  only  from  their 
field  labor,  but  when  they  are  busy  at  the  doors  of  their  houses, 
and  even  when  they  are  inside.  They  will  sometimes  descend 
or  issue  from  the  woods  in  a  troop  upon  a  village,  and  de- 
stroy all  the  inhabitants ;  and  there  are  many  places  of 
those  islands  where,  from  a  sort  of  foolish  superstition,  the 
people  take  no  pains  to  thin  their  numbers.  The  general 
superstition  is,  that  if  they  make  a  wanton  aggression  on  th^ 
tiger,  he  will  wage  a  war  of  extermination  against  their  famiK 
but,  on  the  other  hand,  if  the  tiger  is  the  aggressor,  they  con- 
ceive themselves  entitled,  in  as  far  as  they  are  able,  to  wage 
a  war  of  extermination  against  him.  There  is  no  doubt  some 
show  of  equity  in  this  tacit  code,  but  the  misfortune  is,  that 
only  one  of  the  parties  can  be  made  to  understand  and  obey 
it,  and  thus  it  induces  the  people  to  spare  those  animals  to 
the  destruction  of  many  of  their  own  lives  ;  the  more  so  that, 
from  the  nature  of  the  country,  there  is  cover  for  tigers  in  the 
close  vicinity  of  almost  every  village.  The  people  are  not, 
however,  without  dexterity  in  the  capture  or  destruction  of 
tigers,  when  once  they  can  be  induced  to  undertake  that  ope- 
ration. Sumatra  and  Java  are,  generally  speaking,  too  tangled 
with  woods  for  admitting  of  tiger  Jmnting,  even  with  the  as- 
sistance of  elephants  ;  and  therefore  the  people  have  recourse 
to  traps,  pit-falls,  and  gins,  in  the  formation  of  which  they 
display  no  inconsiderable  ingenuity.  * 

Though  the  tigers  of  these  islands  are  not  so  heavy  as  those 
which  are  found  in  the  jungles  of  Bengal  they  are  exceedingly 
strong,  as  well  as  active.  It  is  reported  that  they  can  break 
the  leg  of  a  horse  or  a  buffalo,  not  by  force  of  the  spring  but 
the  mere  stroke  of  the  paw,  while  the  bite  is  sufficient  to  ham- 
string and  cripple  an  elephant,  and  they  are  said  to  aim  at 
that  part  of  the  animal.  But  the  elephant  in  a  wild  state,  is 
seldom  to  be  taken  unawares  in  this  way ;  and  if  it  must 
receive  the  spring  of  the  tiger  on  the  hinder  part  (and  the 


TIGER  HUNTING.  413 

tiger  will  not  attack  an  elephant  in  front  unless  by  surprize,) 
it  crouches  and  receives  him  on  the  upper  part,  where  the 
skin  is  so  tough,  that  the  tiger  can  make  but  little  impression 
upon  it,  and  capable  of  so  much  motion,  that  the  elephant 
shakes  him  off,  and  falls  upon  him,  or  stamps  him  to  death ; 
nor  does  it  quit  the  carcass  till  it  has  reduced  the  whole  to  a 
soft  mass.  Other  animals,  even  the  heaviest,  are  carried  off 
to  the  woods  with  the  greatest  ease  ;  and  when  he  is  thus  en- 
raged, he  cares  but  little  for  musket-shot,  if  they  do  not  hit 
him  in  a  vital  part.  In  his  ordinary  haunts,  and  when  he  is 
neither  hungry  or  exasperated,  the  tiger  is,  like  all  wild 
animals,  afraid  of  fire,  and  in  such  cases  a  lantern  is  sufficient 
protection  for  those  who  have  occasion  to  be  in  the  woods 
at  night ;  but  when  hungry  or  excited,  fire  does  not  deter 
him  from  making  his  attacks.  Sharp  shrill  sounds  will 
annoy  the  tiger  a  good  deal ;  and  in  some  places  where  they 
are  abundant,  the  people  contrive  to  keep  them  at  a  distance 
by  blowing  a  sort  of  horn  which  has  an  acute  and  piercing 
sound.  But  formidable  as  the  tiger  is  in  these  islands,  he 
cannot  be  considered  so  absolute  a  monarch  as  he  is  in  the 
jungles  of  the  Sunderbunds.  In  these  last,  there  is  no  ani- 
mal to  attack  the  tiger,  save  the  gavial,  and  he  is  only  in  the 
water  or  on  its  margin  ;  but  in  the  islands,  the  great  python, 
ular-sawa  of  the  Javese,  usually  called  a  boa  constrictor, 
though  is  not  a  boa,  except  in  manners,  which  are  very  much 
alike  in  all  crushing  serpents,  occasionally  make  prizes  of  the 
tiger,  and  even  lies  in  wait  for  him,  and,  strongly  as  he  is 
built,  and  little  as  he  cares  for  common  wounds,  the  folds  of 
this  powerful  serpent  very  speedily  break  his  bones. 

From  his  greater  activity  and  daring,  or  rather,  perhaps, 
from  his  frequenting  more  fertile  places,  the  tiger  carries  off 
human  beings  much  more  frequently  than  the  lion ;  but  there 
does  not  appear  to  be  much  truth  in  the  common  saying,  that 
he  gives  human  flesh  the  preference.  Beasts  of  prey,  from 
the  nature  of  their  organs  of  taste,  cannot  be  very  dainty  in 

35* 


414  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


V 
INDIAN  BUFFALO. 


their  choice ;  and  the  probability  is,  that  of  prey,  equally 
within  his  power,  the  tiger  takes  that  which  is  the  largest. 
There  is  not  more  truth  in  the  allegation  of  the  older  natural- 
lists,  that  the  whiskers  of  the  tiger  are  poisonous.  The  breath 
of  the  animal  is  offensive,  and  both  the  bite  and  the  tear  occa- 
sion ugly  and  festering  wounds,  but  that  is  the  case  with  the 
whole  genus.  As  was  remarked  by  the  lion,  the  saliva 
of  the  tiger  may  not  be  a  very  wholesome  application  to 
a  wound  ;  but  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  any  of  the 
genus  is  furnished  with  a  direct  poison,  as  they  are  sufficiently 
armed  without  it,  and  nature,  though  she  always  does  enough, 
never  does  too  much. 

Among  the  most  formidable  adversaries  of  the  tiger  is  the 
Indian  buffalo,  which  is  able  to  maintain  a  severe  and  often 
a  successful  contest  with  him. 

A  tiger  is  sometimes  dispatched  by  a  single  well-directed 
thrust  of  a  spear.  This  was  done  by  Sir  Robert  Gillespie 
mounted  on  his  Arabian  courser.  Sir  Robert  being  present 
on  the  race-course  of  Calcutta,  during  one  of  the  great  Hindoo 
festivals,  when  many  thousands  are  assembled  to  witness  all 
sorts  of  shows,  was  suddenly  alarmed  by  the  shrieks  and  com- 


THE  BOA  CONSTRICTOR. 


HUNTING  THE  TIGER. 


417 


motions  of  the  crowd.  On  being  informed  that  a  tiger  had 
escaped  from  his  keepers,  he  immediately  called  for  his  horse, 
and  with  no  other  weapon  than  a  boar-spear  snatched  from 
one  of  the  by-standers,  he  rode  to  attack  the  terrible  enemy. 
The  tiger  was  probably  amazed  at  finding  himself  in  the 
middle  of  such  a  number  of  shrieking  beings  flying  from  him 
in  all  directions ;  but  the  moment  he  saw  Sir  Robert,  he 
crouched  in  the  attitude  of  preparing  to  spring  upon  him  ; . 
and  that  instant  the  gallant  soldier  passed  his  horse  in  a  leap 
over  the  tiger's  back,  and  struck  the  spear  through  his  spine. 
It  was  a  feat  requiring  the  unity  of  purpose  and  and  move- 
ment on  the  part  of  horse  and  rider,  almost  realising  for  the 
moment  the  fable  of  the  centaur.  Had  either  swerved  or 
wavered  for  a  second,  both  had  been  lost.  But  the  brave 
Bteed  knew  his  rider.  The  animal  was  a  small  gray,  and 
was  afterwards  sent  home  as  a  present  to  the  prince  regent. 


THE  Rocky  Mountains  of  North  America  are  as  celebrated 
for  scenes  of  thrilling  adventure  as  the  Alps  and  the  Pyre- 
nees of  Europe.  They  abound  with  an  animal  much  more 
formidable  than  any  that  roams  among  the  mountains  of 
Italy  or  Spain.  This  is  the  grizzly  bear — a  ferocious  beast, 
larger,  more  active,  and  more  courageous  than  the  lion — an 
animal  that  will  fight  to  the  death,  against  any  odds,  and  of 
such  tenacity  of  life,  that  it  has  been  known  to  triumph  over 
its  human  foes  even  when  shot  in  the  vitals.  He  must  have 
a  bold  heart,  a  steady  nerve,  a  quick  eye,  a  strong  arm,  and 
a  sure  rifle  who  would  encounter  a  grizzly  bear. 
(418) 


WARREN  S  FIGHT  WITH  THE  BEAR. 


ADVENTURE  IN  THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS.       421 

On  a  June  day,  a  hunter  named  Martin  Warner,  was  riding 
up  the  rugged  pass  upon  the  western  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  The  day  was  very  warm,  and  both  hunter  and 
mule  where  tired  and  thirsty.  Coming  to  a  small  spring, 
which  had  a  very  cool,  refreshing  look,  Warner  dismounted, 
blessing  his  good  fortune,  leaned  his  rifle  against  a  rock,  re- 
moved the  pack  from  his  mule,  and  permitted  the  poor  beast 
to  wander  some  distance  below  to  drink  from  the  stream 
formed  by  the  water  from  the  spring,  and  then  crept  into  a 
shady  place  to  make  a  comfortable  meal  of  jerked  beef  and 
water.  Much  refreshed  by  the  repast,  and  desirous  of  still 
further  recruiting  himself  he  pulled  off  his  boots  and  began  to 
wash  his  feet.  While  engaged  in  this  cooling  performance, 
his  quick  ear  caught  the  sound  of  a  low,  deep  growl,  which 
caused  him  to  spring  to  his  feet  and  seize  his  rifle,  with  the 
instinctive  preparation  of  a  hunter.  Amid  a  clump  of  bushes, 
about  a  hundred  yards  up  the  pass,  he  saw  the  large,  dark 
head,  and  glaring  eyes  x)f  the  grizzly  lord  of  the  mountain. 
As  quick  as  lightning  the  long  rifle  was  brought  to  the  hun- 
ter's eye — a  flash  and  a  report,  and  with  a  tremendous  growl, 
the  wounded  animal  came  rushing  down  the  pass.  Martin 
had  not  time  to  reload,  and  to  run  would  have  been  utterly 
vain.  The  hunter  clubbed  his  rifle,  and  planting  his  back 
against  a  rock  awaited  the  onset.  The  bear  came  on  confi- 
dently. Martin  struck  him  a  tremendous  blow  over  the  eye, 
and  then  as  the  rifle  flew  in  pieces,  dodged  away  from  the 
blinded  animal.  It  would  have  been  easy  now  for  the  hunter 
to  escape  upon  the  back  of  his  mule.  But  he  desired  the 
bear's  meat  and  skin,  and  was  willing  to  take  his  chance  of 
life  in  the  struggle  for  them.  He  ran  a  short  distance  down 
the  pass,  followed  by  the  groping  bear.  Suddenly,  the  en- 
raged beast  paused  upon  a  rock,  uncertain  which  course  to 
pursue,  and  beginning  to  droop  from  loss  of  blood.  Martin 
drew  his  long  hunting-knife  and  advanced  cautiously  towards 
him.  Although  blind,  the  bear  was  still  very  formidable, 

36 


422  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

as  the  sense  of  hearing  and  smell  of  the  grizzly  beast  are 
very  acute.  As  Martin  approached,  the  animal  made  a  fierce 
plunge  at  him ;  but  he  dodged  aside  and  struck  it  just  be- 
neath the  shoulder.  Still  the  victory  was  doubtful ;  for  the 
bear  clutched  the  hunter  round  the  waist,  and  squeezed  him 
like  an  iron  vice.  Groaning  with  pain,  Martin  still  had 
enough  presence  of  mind  to  make  several  deep  stabs  in  the 
side  of  the  bear,  and  in  a  few  seconds  the  animal  fell  back 
upon  the  rock,  dead. 

Martin  had  fairly  earned  his  prize,  although  it  weighed  at 
least  twelve  hundred  pounds.  He  was  almost  exhausted  by 
the  conflict.  His  breast  and  back  were  torn  by  the  claws  of 
the  bear.  In  that  region,  every  man  must  be  his  own  phy- 
sician and  surgeon,  and  our  hunter  being  accustomed  to  such 
wounds,  soon  had  them  dressed  to  his  own  satisfaction.  Then 
skinning  the  bear,  and  cutting  off  the  best  portions  of  the 
meat,  he  repacked  his  mule,  and  resumed  his  journey. 

Martin  was  a  very  successful  hunter.  But  he  got  tired  of 
a  solitary  life  in  the  mountains ;  and,  at  length,  returned  to 
the  haunts  of  civilization,  settled  down  in  Kentucky.  He 
did  not  lose  his  love  of  sport,  however ;  for  he  soon  became 
renowned  as  a  hunter  of  the  opossum  and  the  raccoon.  On 
the  frosty  autumn  nights,  Martin  would  be  abroad  with  guns 
and  dogs,  and  he  had  the  reputation  of  never  returning  with- 
out plenty  of  game.  The  neighbors  thought  it  was  wonderful. 
But  he  considered  opossum  hunting  mere  play. 


TRADING  FOR  FURS  WITH  THE  INDIANS. 


elrs  of 


IN  the  following  extracts  from  that  delightful  work,  "  As- 
toria," by  Washington  Irving,  we  have  a  characteristic  ac- 
count of  the  Canadian  rangers  of  the  woods  as  well  as  of  the 
fur  trade.  "  It  was  the  fur  trade,  in  fact,  which  gave  early 
sustenance  and  vitality  to  the  great  Canadian  provinces.  Be- 
ing destitute  of  the  precious  metals,  at  that  time  the  leading 
objects  of  American  enterprize,  they  were  long  neglected  by 
the  parent  country.  The  French  adventurers,  however,  who 
had  settled  on  the  banks  of  St  Lawrence,  soon  found  that,  in 
the  rich  peltries  of  the  interior,  they  had  sources  of  wealth 
that  might  almost  rival  the  mines  of  Mexico  and  Peru.  The 
Indians,  as  yet  unacquainted  with  the  artificial  value  given 
to  some  descriptions  of  furs,  in  civilized  life,  brought  quanti- 
ties of  the  most  precious  kinds  and  bartered  them  away  for 
European  trinkets  and  cheap  commodities.  *  * 

36*  (425) 


426  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

"As  the  valuable  furs  soon  became  scarce  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  settlements,  the  Indians  of  the  vicinity  were  stimu- 
lated to  take  a  wider  range  in  their  hunting  expeditions ; 
they  were  generally  accompanied  on  these  excursions  by  some 
of  the  traders  or  their  dependants,  who  shared  in  the  toils  and 
perils  of  the  chase,  and  at  the  same  time  made  themselves  ac- 
quainted with  the  best  hunting  and  trapping  grounds,  and 
with  the  remote  tribes,  whom  they  encouraged  to  bring  their 
peltries  to  the  settlements.  *  * 

"  A  new  and  anomalous  class  of  men  gradually  grew  out 
of  this  trade.  These  were  called  coureurs  des  bois,  rangers 
of  the  wood;  originally  men  who  had  accompanied  the  In- 
dians in  their  hunting  expeditions  and  made  themselves  ac- 
quainted with  remote  tracts  and  tribes  ;  and  who  now  became, 
as  it  were,  pedlars  of  the  wilderness.  These  men  would  set 
out  from  Montreal  with  canoes  well  stocked  with  goods,  with 
arms  and  ammunition,  and  would  make  their  way  up  the  mazy 
and  wandering  rivers  that  interlace  the  vast  forests  of  the 
Canadas,  coasting  the  most  remote  lakes,  and  creating  new 
wants  and  habitudes  among  the  Indians.  Sometimes  they 
sojourned  for  months  among  them,  assimilating  to  their  tastes 
and  habits  with  the  happy  facility  of  Frenchmen ;  adopting 
in  some  degree  the  Indian  dress,  and  not  unfrequently  taking 
to  themselves  Indian  wives. 

"  Twelve,  fifteen,  or  eighteen  months  would  elapse  without 
any  tidings  of  them,  when  they  would  come  sweeping  their  way 
down  the  Ottawa  in  full  glee,  their  canoes  laden  down  with 
packs  of  beaver  skins.  Now  came  their  turn  for  revelry  and 
extravagance.  '  You  would  be  amazed,'  says  an  old  writer, 
already  quoted,  '  if  you  saw  how  lewd  these  pedlars  are 
when  they  return ;  how  they  feast  and  game,  and  how  prodigal 
they  are  not  only  in  their  clothes,  but  upon  their  sweethearts. 
Such  of  them  as  are  married  have  the  wisdom  to  retire  to 
their  own  houses ;  but  the  bachelors  act  just  as  East  India- 
men  and  pirates  are  wont  to  do  ;  for  they  lavish,  eat,  drink, 


iilFHI  ^ 


=^-=>=^  ----- 
RANGERS  OP  THE  WOODS  SPENDING  THEIR  EARNINGS. 


THE  RANGERS  OF  THE  WOODS.  429 

all  the  way,  as  long  as  the  goods  hold  out ;  and  when  these 
are  gone,  they  even  sell  their  embroidery,  their  lace,  and 
their  clothes.  This  done,  they  are  forced  upon  a  new  voyage 
for  subsistence.'  * 

"  To  check  these  abuses,  and  to  protect  the  fur  trade  from 
various  irregularities  practised  by  these  loose  adventurers,  an 
order  was  issued  by  the  French  government,  prohibiting  all 
persons,  on  pain  of  death,  from  trading  into  the  interior  of 
the  country  without  a  license. 

"  These  licenses  were  granted  in  writing  by  the  governor- 
general,  and  at  first  were  given  only  to  persons  of  respectability: 
to  gentlemen  of  broken  fortunes ;  to  old  officers  of  the  army 
who  had  families  to  provide  for  ;  or  to  their  widows.  Each 
license  permitted  the  fitting  out  of  two  large  canoes  with  mer- 
chandize for  the  lakes,  and  no  more  than  twenty-five  licenses 
were  to  be  issued  out  in  one  year.  By  degrees,  however,  private 
licenses  were  also  granted,  and  the  number  rapidly  increased. 
Those  who  did  not  choose  to  fit  out  the  expedition  themselves, 
were  permitted  to  sell  them  to  the  merchants ;  these  employed 
the  coureurs  des  bois,  or  rangers  of  the  woods,  to  undertake 
the  long  voyages  on  shares,  and  thus  the  abuses  of  the  old 
system  were  received  and  continued.  *  *  *  * 

"  The  pious  missionaries  employed  by  the  Roman  catholic 
church  to  convert  the  Indians,  did  every  thing  in  their  power 
to  counteract  the  profligacy  caused  by  these  men  in  the  heart 
of  the  wilderness.  The  catholic  chapel  might  often  be  seen 
planted  beside  the  trading  house,  and  its  spire  surmounted  by 
a  cross,  towering  from  the  midst  of  an  Indian  village,  on  the 
banks  of  a  river  or  lake.  ***** 

"  At  length  it  was  found  necessary  to  establish  fortified 
posts  at  the  confluence  of  the  rivers  and  lakes  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  trade,  and  the  restraint  of  these  profligates  of  the 
wilderness.  The  most  important  of  these  was  at  Michilimacki- 

Nnac,  situated  at  the  strait  of  the  same  name,  which  connects 
Lakes  Huron  and  Michigan.  ***** 


430  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

"  The  French  merchant  at  his  trading-post,  in  these  primi- 
tive days  of  Canada,  was  a  kind  of  commercial  patriarch. 
With  the  lax  habits  and  easy  familiarity  of  his  race,  he  had 
,  a  little  world  of  self-indulgence  and  misrule  around  him.  He 
had  his  clerks,  canoe-men,  and  retainers  of  all  kinds,  who 
lived  with  him  on  terms  of  perfect  sociability,  always  calling 
him  by  his  Christian  name  ;  he  had  his  harem  of  Indian  wo- 
men, and  his  troop  of  half-breed  children  ;  nor  was  there  ever 
wanting  a  troop  of  louting  Indians,  hanging  about  the  esta- 
blishment, eating  and  drinking  at  his  expense  in  the  intervals 
of  their  hunting  expeditions. 

"The  Canadian  traders,"  continues  Mr.  Irving,  "for  a 
long  time  had  troublesome  competitors  in  the  British  mer- 
chants of  New  York,  who  inveigled  the  Indian  hunters  and 
coureurs  des  bois  to  their  posts,  and  traded  with  them  on  more 
favorable  terms."  The  Hudson  Bay  Company,  chartered  by 
Charles  II.  in  1670,  was  another  formidable  rival.  In  1762, 
the  French  lost  possession  of  Canada,  and  the  trade  fell  prin- 
cipally into  the  hands  of  the  British,  with  whom  it  does  not 
seem  to  have  thriven.  In  1766,  however,  it  was  carried  on 
with  more  than  its  former  energy,  by  the  force  of  private 
opposition  ;  the  consequences  of  which,  displayed  in  "  scenes 
of  drunkenness,  brutality,  and  brawl  in  the  Indian  villages 
and  around  the  trading-houses,"  led  to  the  formation  of  the 
famous  "North-west  Company,"  which  Mr.  Irving  compares, 
in  the  extent  of  its  power  and  the  magnificence  of  its  esta- 
blishments, to  that  congress  in  Leadenhall  street,  which  has 
so  long  dispensed  the  treasures  of  the  East  Indies.  The 
partners  who  formed  a  kind  of  commercial  aristocracy  at 
Montreal  and  Quebec,  held  annual  gatherings  at  Fort  Wil- 
liam, on  Lake  Superior,  for  the  discharge  of  business,  and 
these  meetings  were  celebrated  with  the  utmost  state,  luxury, 
and  display. 

It  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  a  company,  at  once  so 
prosperous  and  ostentatious,  should  be  permitted  to  gather 


A  RANGER,  WOUNDED. 


THE  RANGERS  OF  THE  WOODS. 


433 


JOHN  JACOB  ASTOR. 

gold  by  the  handful  without  opposition.  The  Mackinaw  Com- 
pany was,  therefore,  formed  by  a  party  of  British  merchants, 
for  the  purpose  of  extending  the  fur  trade  to  the  southern  and 
western  districts  of  the  states.  The  government,  meanwhile, 
had  begun  to  regard  these  proceedings  with  watchful  atten- 
tion, and,  so  early  as  the  year  of  1796,  had  sent  out  its  own 
agents  to  trade  on  the  Indian  frontier ;  this  expedient,  how- 
ever, was  insufficient  to  counterbalance  the  more  individually 
interested  activity  of  private  enterprise;  and  the  counter- 
weight to  the  influence  which  these  foreign  establishments 
were  daily  acquiring,  was  to  be  thrown  into  the  scale  by  the 
exertions  of  one  person — John  Jacob  Astor.  This  gentleman 
a  German  by  birth,  was  one  of  those  to  whom  confidence  and 
acuteness  are  a  better  heritage  than  houses  or  land ;  he  began 
life  with  the  resolution  of  making  an  immense  fortune,  and 
achieved  his  purpose.  In  the  year  of  1794  or  1795,  Mr. 

37 


434  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

Astor  made  a  contract  with  the  agents  of  the  North-west 
Company  for  furs,  being  enabled,  in  virtue  of  the  recent 
treaty  with  Great  Britain,  to  import  them  into  the  United 
States,  and  ship  them  thence  to  all  quarters  of  the  globe. 

In  the  year  1807,  Mr.  Astor's  views  had  so  far  widened 
with  his  increasing  prosperity,  that  he  embarked  in  the  trade 
on  his  own  account ;  but  finding  himself,  single-handed,  unable 
to  organise  a  successful  opposition  to  the  Mackinaw  Company, 
he  obtained,  in  1809,  a  charter  from  the  legislature  of  New 
York,  for  the  incorporation  of  a  company  under  the  name  of 
the  "American  Fur  Company;"  and,  in  the  year  1810, 
fairly  bought  out  his  rivals  of  the  Mackinaw  Company,  merg- 
ing his  new-born  establishment,  and  his  recent  purchase,  in  a 
new  association — the  "  South-west  Company."  The  war, 
which  broke  out  in  1812,  suspended  the  operations  of  this 
body,  and  left  Mr.  Astor  at  leisure  to  turn  his  busy  thoughts 
to  another  vast  and  little-known,  district — to  follow  up  the 
discoveries  made  by  Captain  Gray,  of  the  ship  Columbia,  in 
1792, — by  Mackenzie,  in  1793, — and  afterwards  by  Lewis 
and  Clark,  in  1804.  In  short,  he  resolved  to  establish  a  line 
of  trading  communication  across  America,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific. 

"  The  main  feature  of  his  scheme  was  to  establish  a  line 
of  trading  posts  along  the  Missouri  and  the  Columbia,  to  the 
mouth  of  the  latter,  where  was  to  be  founded  the  chief  trading 
house  or  mart.  Inferior  posts  would  be  established  in  the 
interior,  and  on  all  the  tributary  streams  of  the  Columbia,  to 
trade  with  the  Indians ;  these  posts  would  draw  their  supplies 
from  the  main  establishment,  and  bring  to  it  the  peltries  they 
collected.  Coasting  craft  would  be  built  and  fitted  out,  also, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  to  trade,  at  favorable  seasons, 
ail  along  the  north-west  coast,  and  return,  with  the  proceeds 
of  their  voyages,  to  this  place  of  deposit.  Thus  all  the  In- 
dian trade,  both  of  the  interior  and  of  the  coast,  would  flow 
to  this  point,  and  thence  derive  its  sustenance." 


THE  BANGERS  OF  THE  WOODS. 


437 


TRADING  WITH  THE  NATIVES  ON  THE  COAST. 

The  well-known  result  of  this  plan  was  the  sending  out  of 
a  ship,  the  Tonquin,  to  establish  a  post  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Columbia  river.  She  sailed  on  the  8th  of  September, 
1810  ;  arriving  at  her  destination,  the  adventurers  of  the  ex- 
pedition on  the  5th  of  April,  1811,  founded  the  little  town  of 
Astoria.  The  ship  afterwards  sailed  to  the  northward,  leav- 
ing the  settlers  at  Astoria.  Captain  Thorn,  the  commander 
of  the  Tonquin,  arrived  at  Vancouver's  Island,  and  anchored 
in  the  harbor  of  Neweetee.  Here  in  attempting  to  negotiate 
with  the  natives  for  the  purchase  of  furs,  he  provoked  their 
hostility,  and  the  captain  with  nearly  all  the  crew  were  mas- 
sacred. Mr.  Lewis,  the  ship's  clerk,  being  wounded,  took 
shelter  in  the  cabin,  and  afterwards  blew  up  the  ship,  killing 
a  great  number  of  the  natives.  On  the  declaration  of  war, 
in  1817,  Astoria  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British.  Among 
the  persons  composing  the  expedition,  in  the  Tonquin,  were 
thirteen  Canadian  voyageurs.  These  people  are  thus  described 
by  Mr.  Irving : 

"  The  '  voyageurs'  form  a  kind  of  confraternity  in  the  Ca- 
nadas,  like  the  arrieros,  or  carriers  of  Spain,  and,  like  them, 
are  employed  in  long  internal  expeditions  of  travel  and  traffic ; 

37* 


438  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

with  this  difference,  that  the  arrieros  travel  by  land,  the 
voyageurs  by  water ;  the  former  by  mules  and  horses,  the  latter 
with  batteaux  and  canoes.  ***** 

"  The  dress  of  these  people  is  generally  half-civilized,  half- 
savage.  They  wear  a  capot  or  surcoat,  made  of  a  blanket,  a 
striped  cotton  shirt,  cloth  trowsers,  or  leathern  leggings, 
mocassins  of  deer  skin,  and  a  belt  of  variegated  worsted,  from 
which  are  suspended  the  knife,  tobacco-pouch,  and  other  im- 
plements. Their  language  is  of  the  same  piebald  character, 
being  a  French  patois,  embroidered  with  Indian  and  English 
words  and  phrases. 

"  They  are  generally  of  French  descent,  and  inherit  much 
of  the  gaiety  and  lightness  of  heart  of  their  ancestors,  being 
full  of  anecdote  and  song,  and  ever  ready  for  the  dance. 
They  inherit,  too,  a  fund  of  civility  and  complaisance ;  and, 
instead  of  that  grossness  which  men  in  laborious  life  are  apt 
to  indulge  towards  each  other,  they  are  mutually  obliging  and 
accommodating;  interchanging  kind  offices,  yielding  each 
other  assistance  and  comfort  in  every  emergency,  and  using 
the  familiar  appellations  of  *  cousin'  and  'brother,'  when 
there  is  in  fact  no  relationship.  ***** 

"  No  men  are  more  submissive  to  their  leaders  and  em- 
ployers, more  capable  of  enduring  hardship,  or  more  good- 
humored  under  privations.  Never  are  they  so  happy  as 
when  on  long  and  rough  expeditions,  toiling  up  rivers  or 
coasting  lakes ;  encamping  at  night  on  the  borders,  gossiping 
round  their  fires,  and  bivouacking  in  the  open  air.  They  are 
dexterous  boatmen,  vigorous  and  adroit  with  the  oar  and  pad- 
dle, and  will  row  from  morning  unto  night  without  a  murmur. 
The  steersmen  often  sings  an  old  traditionary  French  song, 
with  some  regular  burden  in  which  they  all  join,  keeping  time 
with  their  oars ;  if  at  any  time  they  flag  in  spirits  and  activity. 
The  Canadian  waters  are  vocal  with  these  French  chansons, 
that  have  been  echoed  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  transmitted 
from  father  to  son,  from  the  earliest  days  of  the  colony ;  and 


VOYAGEURS. 


THE  RANGERS  OF  THE  WOODS.  441 

it  has  a  pleasing  effect,  in  a  still  golden  summer  evening,  to 
see  a  batteau  gliding  across  the  bosom  of  a  lake,  and  dipping 
its  oars  to  the  cadence  of  these  quaint  old  ditties,  or  sweeping 
along,  in  full  chorus,  on  a  bright  sunny  morning,  down  the 
transparent  current  of  one  of  the  Canadian  rivers.  But  we 
are  talking  of  things  that  are  fast  fading  away. 

"  An  instance  of  the  buoyant  temperament  and  the  profes- 
sional pride  of  these  people  was  furnished  in  the  gay  and 
braggart  style  in  which  they  arrived  at  New  York  to  join  the 
enterprise.  They  were  determined  to  regale  and  astonish  the 
people  of  the  c  States'  which  the  sight  of  a  Canadian  crew. 
They  accordingly  fitted  up  a  large  but  light  bark  canoe,  such 
as  is  used  in  the  fur  trade  ;  transported  it  in  a  wagon  from 
the  banks  of  St  Lawrence  to  the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain ; 
traversed  the  lake  in  it,  from  end  to  end  ;  hoisted  it  in  a 
wagon  and  wheeled  it  off  to  Lansingburgh,  and  there  launched 
it  upon  the  waters  of  the  Hudson.  Here  they  plied  their 
course  merrily  on  a  fine  summer's  day,  making  its  banks  re- 
soumd  for  the  first  time  with  their  old  French  boat  songs ; 
passing  by  the  villages  with  whoop  and  halloo,  so  as  to  make 
the  honest  Dutch  farmers  mistake  them  for  a  crew  of  savages. 
In  this  way  they  swept,  in  full  song,  and  with  regular  flourish 
of  the  paddle,  round  New  York,  in  a  still  summer  evening,  to 
the  wonder  and  admiration  of  its  inhabitants,  who  had  never 
before  witnessed  on  their  waters  a  nautical  apparition  of  the 
kind." 


THE  wolf  is  found  throughout  Europe,  Asia,  and  North 
America ;  but  it  is  more  especially  in  mountain  and  forest 
districts  that  it  prevails,  where  the  population  is  scanty,  and 
with  a  wide  country  around  destitute  of  human  dwellings.  So 
suspicious  and  cautious  is  this  animal,  that  it  is  extremely 
difficult  to  take  in  traps.  In  the  provinces  of  France  that 
are  infested  with  them,  there  exist  "Wolf  Societies,"  which 
pay  a  price  on  every  animal  killed,  varying  in  amount,  ac- 
cording to  its  sex  and  age ;  but  they  have  not  been  able  to 
extirpate  them. 

The  wolf  stands  about  two  feet  and  a  half  high,  and  has 
great  power  in  the  head,  neck,  and  shoulders;  its  bite  is 
terrible,  cutting  out  the  flesh  with  a  snap. 
(442) 


WOLF  CATCHING.  445 

In  the  month  of  January,  when  hunger  is  felt  most  keenly 
by  them,  they  associate  together  and  hunt  in  packs :  so  that 
travelling  in  some  districts  in  France  (if  the  weather  is  severe) 
becomes  dangerous ;  and  in  Russia,  they  will  gallop  for  miles 
after  the  drosky  of  him  who  ventures  at  dusk  to  cross  its 
wide  steppes.  Lord  Byron,  in  his  poem  of  "Mazeppa,"  has 
finely  described  a  pack  of  them  on  the  track  of  a  fugitive. 

"  We  rustled  through  the  leaves  like  wind, 
Left  shrubs,  and  trees,  and  wolves  behind ; 
By  night  I  heard  them  on  the  track, 
Their  troop  came  hard  upon  our  back, 
With  their  long1  gallop  which  can  tire 
The  hound's  deep  hate,  and  hunter's  fire; 
Where'er  we  flew  they  follow'd  on, 
Nor  left  us  with  the  morning's  sun ; 
Behind  I  saw  them  scarce  a  rood, 
At  day-break  winding  through  the  wood, 
And  through  the  night  had  heard  their  feet, 
Their  stealing,  rustling  step  repeat. 
Oh !  how  I  wish'd  for  spear  or  sword, 
At  least  to  die  amidst  the  horde, 
And  perish — if  it  must  be  so— 
At  bay  destroying  many  a  foe."      V 

On  the  coasts  of  Greenland  and  Labrador,  the  wolf  is  so 
much  like  the  Esquimaux  dogs,  that  by  travellers  it  is  often 
confounded  with  it.  It  is  destitute  of  much  of  that  ferocity 
which  marks  the  European  wolf;  and  even  when  grouped  in 
packs,  may  sometimes  be  passed  by  an  unarmed  man  without 
danger.  During  the  long  northern  winter  of  those  polar  re- 
gions, they  grow  more  bold,  and  will  even  dare  to  seize  a  dog 
before  the  face  of  its  master ;  and  have  been  known  to  dig 
up  from  the  feet  of  the  wearied  and  sleeping  hunters,  the 
carcass  which  for  security  they  had  buried  there. 

The  wolf  of  North  America  uses  great  cunning  in  attacking 
the  deer  and  other  animals  that  exceed  them  in  speed :  a 
number  of  them  unite  and  hem  in  their  prey,  and  sometimes 

38 


446  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

drive  it  over  a  precipice,  and  descend  at  leisure  to  feed  on  its 
mangled  carcass.  Captain  Franklin  thus  describes  the  expe- 
dient they  use : — "  When  the  deer  are  quietly  grazing,  the 
wolves  assemble  in  great  numbers,  and,  forming  a  crescent, 
creep  slowly  towards  the  herd,  so  as  not  to  alarm  them  much 
at  first ;  but  when  they  perceive  they  have  fairly  hemmed  in 
the  unsuspecting  creatures,  and  cut  off  their  retreat  across 
the  plain,  they  move  more  quickly,  and  with  hideous  yells 
terrify  their  prey,  and  urge  them  to  flight  by  the  only  open 
way,  which  is  towards  the  precipice,  appearing  to  know  that 
when  the  herd  is  once  at  full  speed,  it  is  easily  driven  over 
the  cliff,  the  rearmost  urging  on  those  that  are  before.  m 
The  wolves  of  India  are  of  a  light  fox-color,  inclining  to 
dun,  not  larger  than  a  greyhound,  slenderly  made,  but  bony. 
The  head  and  ears  are  long,  like  those  of  a  jackal,  and  the 
tail  long,  but  not  very  hairy.  There  is  another  kind,  which 
is  smaller,  but  not  so  commonly  met  with.  The  natives  have 
a  peculiar  mode  of  catching  them,  very  simple,  yet  very  effec- 
tual. In  some  retired  place,  where  it  is  ascertained  they  are 
accustomed  to  prowl,  a  pit  is  dug  with  great  caution,  and  of 
considerable  depth.  The  soil  is  carefully  moved  away,  and 
over  the  surface  are  spread  slight  twigs,  and  these  again 
covered  with  herbage,  as  to  leave  no  marks  of  the  spot  having 
been  disturbed.  On  either  side  of  the  pit  a  stout  bamboo  is 
stuck,  and  made  to  join  in  the  centre,  which  is  directly  over 
the  opening  below.  From  these  poles  a  small  wicker  basket 
is  slung,  containing  a  kid  or  a  lamb,  plentifully  smeared  with 
blood,  which  is  also  spilt  on  the  ground  beneath.  The  trap 
is  then  complete.  Directed  by  their  keen  scent,  as  at  night 
they  wander  forth,  the  wolves  are  guided  by  the  bait,  and  if 
the  trap  be  well  prepared  are  almost  sure  to  be  found  in  the 
pitfall  by  the  peasants  in  the  morning  When  in  the  trap 
they  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  spear. 


MR.  WEBBER,  in  that  delightful  book,  "  Wild  Scenes  and 
Wild  Hunters  of  the  World,"  gives  a  very  interesting  account 
of  the  peccaries,  or  wild  Mexican  hogs,  whom  he  represents 
as  really  formidable  to  the  hunter.  Instead  of  the  fear  in- 
spired by  the  report  of  fire-arms  as  in  other  animals  the 
peccary  exhibits  rage  and  ferocity.  "  Ungovernable  rage 
seems  to  take  the  place  of  this  panic — a  rage  quite  as  head- 
long and  as  blind.  Though  scarcely  more  than  eighteen 
inches  high  by  two  and  a  half  feet  in  length,  it  is  yet  really 
one  of  the  most  formidable  animals  belonging  to  our  hemi- 
sphere. It  is  gregarious,  and  goes  in  droves  from  ten  to  fifty. 
Its  jaws  are  armed  after  the  manner  of  the  wild  boar,  with 
tushes ;  but  they  are  of  a  very  different  shape,  and,  if  possible, 

(447) 


448  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

more  to  be  dreaded.  They  stand  straight  in  the  jaws,  in- 
stead of  curving  upwards,  and  have  the  form  as  well  as  keen- 
ness of  the  lancet-blade.  Their  motions  are  as  quick  as 
lightning,  and  with  shoulders,  head,  and  neck  possessing  ex- 
traordinary muscular  power,  they  manage  to  slash  and  gash 
in  the  most  horrible  manner  with  these  villanous  little  wea- 
pons, which  are  only  about  an  inch  and  a  half  in  length.  As 
they  do  not  hesitate  to  attack  any  thing  or  any  body,  big  or 
little,  provocation  or  no  provocation,  that  may  chance  to 
cross  their  paths,  men  and  animals  very  soon  learn  that  their 
only  safety  is  in  flight.  As  they  rush  upon  the  object  in  a 
body,  and  fight  until  the  last  of  their  number  is  slain,  it  is 
fruitless  to  stop  and  battle  with  them,  as  they  would  cut  either 
a  man  or  the  largest  animal,  so  badly,  before  they  could  all  be 
dispatched,  that  the  victory  would  prove  a  dear  one  indeed. 

"  There  is  no  animal  that  will  stop  to  fight  them,  and  men, 
dogs,  and  horses  run  from  them  in  the  most  ridiculous  con- 
sternation— indeed,  they  are  the  very  terror  of  hunters." 


Is  the  interior  of  the  vast  continents  of  Asia,  Africa,  and 
America,  are  found  those  huge  snakes  called  boas.  They 
are  confined  to  the  hotter  regions  of  the  globe,  and  are  formi- 
dable from  their  large  size  and  enormous  strength.  Though 
not  possessed  of  poisonous  teeth  or  fangs,  as  is  the  case  with 
many  of  the  serpent  tribe,  they  have  the  power  of  coiling 

39  (449) 


450  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

round  and  compressing  the  bodies  of  their  victims  with  such 
force,  that  the  largest  animals  often  fall  a  prey  to  them.  In 
general  they  are  to  be  found  in  hot  morasses,  swamps,  the 
borders  of  rivers,  and  the  tangled  underwood  of  dark  forests ; 
sometimes  half  floating  in  the  stream,  they  lurk  for  their  prey, 
which,  as  it  unsuspectingly  stoops  to  drink,  is  suddenly  en- 
folded in  their  crushing  coils. 

The  largest  that  have  of  late  days  been  killed  have  not  ex- 
ceeded forty  feet  in  length ;  but  instances  are  recorded  of 
much  larger  ones  having  been  destroyed,  even  as  long  as  sixty 
two  feet.  Pliny  tells  us,  that  the  army  of  Regulus,  when  at 
war  with  Carthage,  killed  one  near  the  river  Bagrada,  in 
Africa,  whose  length  was  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet. 

Some  of  the  early  Dutch  colonists  give  accounts  of  snakes 
having  been  killed  by  them  in  the  East  Indies  of  enormous 
size :  one,  when  opened,  was  found  to  contain  the  body  of  a 
full  grown  deer,  with  its  skin  and  limbs  entire ;  in  another, 
when  examined,  was  found  a  wild  he-goat  with  its  horns.  The 
writer  says,  that  these  monsters  were  sometimes  kept  for  the 
sake  of  attacking  buffaloes,  in  the  kingdom  of  Aracan,  on  the 
frontier  of  Bengal. 

The  tail  of  the  boa  has  the  power  of  clasping  anything  with 
great  firmness;  and  is  furnished  with  two  hook-like  claws, 
sheathed  with  horn,  which  are  supported  upon  bones,  and  put 
in  action  by  powerful  muscles.  Hence  it  can  easily  suspend 
itself  from  the  branch  of  a  tree,  as  it  waits  for  its  victim,  or 
partially  fold  itself  round  any  trunk  it  may  be  near,  and  thus 
gain  additional  power  to  resist  the  convulsions  of  its  unfor- 
tunate prey.  Mr.  McLeod  narrates  an  instance  that  came 
under  his  notice  which  may  serve  to  illustrate  this,  "  A  negro 
herdsman  belonging  to  the  governor  of  Fort  William  had  been 
seized  by  one  of  these  monsters  by  the  thigh ;  but  from  his 
situation,  in  a  wood,  the  serpent  in  attempting  to  throw  him- 
self round  him,  got  entangled  with  a  tree ;  and  the  man  being 
thus  preserved  from  a  state  of  compression,  which  would  in- 


THE  BOA  CONSTRICTOR  ATTACKING  A  BIKD. 


THE  BOA  CONSTRICTOR.  453 

stantly  have  rendered  him  powerless,  had  presence  of  mind 
enough  to  cut  with  a  large  knife,  which  he  carried  about  with 
him,  deep  gashes  in  the  neck  and  throat  of  his  antagonist, 
thereby  killing  him,  and  disengaging  himself  from  his  fright- 
ful situation.  He  never  afterwards  recovered  the  use  of  that 
limb,  which  had  sustained  considerable  injury  from  the  fangs 
and  mere  force  of  his  jaws."  Some  of  the  smaller  species  are 
brought  over  to  this  country.  The  change  of  climate  soon 
throws  them  into  a  state  bordering  on  stupefaction  ;  but  even 
then  they  are  not  to  be  trifled  with.  A  Mr.  Cops,  keeper  of 
the  lion-office,  was  holding  a  fowl  to  one  of  the  kind,  called  the 
Tiger  Python,  when  the  reptile  made  a  spring,  but  missing 
the  fowl  seized  him  by  the  thumb  of  the  left  hand,  and  coiled 
round  his  arm  and  neck  in  a  moment.  Mr.  Cops  was  alone, 
but  made  strenuous  efforts  to  free  himself  from  the  attack  of 
the  snake.  He  attempted  to  seize  the  brute  by  the  head ; 
not  succeeding  in  this,  he  threw  himself  on  the  floor,  that  he 
might  have  a  better  chance  of  grappling  with  the  reptile. 
Fortunately  two  other  keepers  came  in,  and  succeeded  in 
breaking  the  teeth  of  the  serpent,  and  freeing  him  from  his 
dangerous  situation.  The  two  broken  teeth  were  extricated 
from  his  thumb,  and  no  serious  evil  ensued. 

Coiled  up  in  watchful  expectation  of  some  victim,  or  hang- 
ing amongst  the  branches  of  a  tree,  in  some  dark  ravine, 
waiting  for  the  approach  of  its  prey,  this  frightful  monster 
hesitates  not  to  attack  the  unwary  traveller,  and  darting 
upon  him  with  unerring  certainty,  speedily  crushes  him  in  its 
fearful  folds.  A  shriek,  a  convulsive  struggle — a  few  frantic 
cries — growing  more  and  more  faint — all  is  over,  and  the 
strong  man  is  but  a  lifeless  mass,  to  be  gorged  at  the  leisure 
of  his  destroyer. 

Travellers  in  districts  where  these  reptiles  are  found  may 
well  be  thankful  that  they  are  not  numerous.  As  civilization 
advances,  and  the  dark  forests  are  cut  down  by  the  increas- 
ing population,  and  the  sedgy  banks  of  the  rivers  are  cleared 


454 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


BOA  WATCHING  A  DEER. 

of  their  reeds  and  jungle,  they  will  become  still  less  numerous, 
and  in  all  probability  never  live  to  attain  the  enormous  size 
which  some  of  them  in  former  days  acquired.  The  specimens 
which  are  seen  in  the  travelling  menageries  that  journey 
round  the  country  give  but  a  faint  and  imperfect  idea  of  what 
these  serpents  are  in  the  land  where  they  are  found.  The 
graphic  description,  which  Virgil  gives  of  Laocoon's  death, 
is  worth  quoting. 

"  (Fearful  to  behold)  from  sea  we  spied 


.  AN  ADVENTURE  IN  THE  PYRENEES.         459 

scending  the  Pyrenees,  with  the  expectation  of  reaching  the 
nearest  Spanish  village  by  dark.  The  path  was  extremely 
dangerous.  In  some  places,  it  was  just  wide  enough  to  allow 
the  mules  to  move  along  without  jogging  their  sides  against 
the  sharp  rocks.  In  others  it  slanted  off  to  the  edge  of  awful 
precipices,  down  which  no  one  could  fall  and  live.  The  mules 
were  generally  left  to  take  their  own  course.  They  knew  the 
path  much  better  than  even  the  muleteer,  and  the  guidance 
of  the  rein  could  only  have  embarrassed  them. 

Donna  Costanza,  the  lady  of  whom  we  have  spoken,  seemed 
to  be  fearful  of  accident.  She  scarcely  dared  to  gaze  at  the 
cliffs  that  projected  above  her  head  in  many  places,  and 
when  the  mule  passed  along  the  brink  of  a  precipice,  she 
shrunk  back,  and  a  half-suppressed  shriek  escaped  her  lips. 
At  such  times,  Narciso,  her  servant,  would  show  his  care  for 
the  safety  of  his  mistress  by  placing  his  muscular  arm  around 
the  saddle-seat  and  holding  firmly  to  her  hand.  One  could 
not  have  fallen  without  dragging  all  down  the  precipice. 

To  add  to  the  fright  of  the  lady,  the  reckless  muleteer 
would  occasionally  mention  that  bears  were  numerous  among 
the  mountains,  and  that  travellers  had  frequently  severe  con- 
flicts with  them.  As  a  comforter,  he  was  certainly  a  devoted 
disciple  of  the  scriptural  Job.  Imagination,  of  course,  mag- 
nified the  causes  of  the  dread  which  made  Donna  Costanza 
trembles.  The  stumps  of  a  pine  assumed  the  formidable 
shape  of  a  bear ;  and  a  speck  of  black  in  the  clouds  became 
a  rapidly  rising  storm.  However,  the  fears  of  the  Donna 
were  destined  to  have  an  unprophetic  termination,  for  the 
party  arrived  at  a  Spanish  inn,  near  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  by  the  side  of  a  rapid  stream,  without  any  accident 
more  important  than  the  snapping  of  a  guitar  string,  which 
the  muleteer  consigned  mentally  to  another,  and  a  worse 
world. 

The  Donna  immediately  retired  to  the  best  chamber  in  the 
inn,  \vhile  Narciso  secured  the  baggage,  and  ordered  supper, 


460  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

and  the  muleteer  quarrelled  with  the  landlord  about  the 
scanty  fodder  given  to  his  mules.  Supper  was  provided  for 
the  servant  and  the  muleteer'  in  the  public  room  of  the  inn. 
It  was  a  scanty  meal,  but  as  they  were  accustomed  to  Spa- 
nish public-houses,  they  had  not  expected  more.  After  the 
meal  had  been  dispatched  and  the  table  cleared,  Narciso  ob- 
tained a  bottle  of  rather  ordinary  wine,  and  as  the  bleak  winds 
howled  around  the  inn,  invited  the  landlord,  the  muleteer, 
and  a  stranger — a  large,  powerful  and  grave  looking  fellow, 
who  had  hitherto  kept  apart — to  take  a  social  glass.  There 
was  no  hesitation.  All  were  companions  of  the  hour,  and 
they  rightly  judged  that  they  ought  to  pass  it  as  pleasantly 
as  possible. 

Of  course,  the  landlord  inquired  as  to  the  destination  of 
the  travellers ;  and  the  information  was  readily  communi- 
cated. Donna  Costanza  had  been  upon  a  visit  to  a  French 
lady — an  old  friend — and  was  returning  to  her  father's  man- 
sion, fifty  miles  from  the  foot  of  the  Pyrenees.  The  stranger 
was  named  Vasquez  de  Cando,  an^l  he  intended  crossing  the 
mountains  and  visiting  Paris.  He  resided  some  miles  from 
the  inn,  had  been  accustomed  to  the  mountains  from  his  boy- 
hood ;  and  having  heard  so  much  of  the  French  capital,  he 
had  scraped  together  sufficient  money  to  pay  the  expenses 
of  a  journey  thither.  The  bottle  of  wine  was  soon  a  bottle 
without  a  drop ;  and  the  mountaineer,  wishing  to  display  his 
desire  for  a  continuance  of  the  social  chat,  called  for  another. 
He  then  became  the  head  of  the  board,  and  decidedly  the 
most  fluent  talker  of  the  party.  At  length  the  conversation 
turned  upon  adventures  among  the  Pyrenees,  and  here  he 
was  "in  the  vein."  One  adventure,  which  nearly  proved 
fatal  to  him,  he  narrated  as  follows : 

"  One  night,  about  two  or  three  winters  ago,  I  was  sitting 
with  a  jovial  party  of  mountaineers  in  this  very  inn.  We 
had  been  very  successful  in  hunting  bears  upon  the  mountains, 
and  their  flesh  afforded  us  several  rare  feasts,  while  their 


ADVENTURE  IN  THE  PYRENEES.  461 

skins  paid  for  the  wine  we  drank.  In  the  midst  of  our  carousal, 
it  was  announced  that  two  travellers,  who  had  been  belated  in 
crossing  the  mountains,  had  arrived.  They  reported  that  be- 
sides contending  with  the  snow  and  ice,  to  be  expected  upon 
the  path,  they  had  encountered  a  huge  bear,  and  had  only  es- 
caped by  running  with  almost  incredible  swiftness,  and  sacri- 
ficing one  of  their  mules.  We  listened  eagerly  to  their  story, ' 
and  were  particular  to  note  the  exact  spot  where  they  had 
been  attacked.  Our  party  agreed  to  go  in  pursuit  of  the  beast 
next  morning.  The  travellers  soon  retired  to  rest  and  we 
continued  our  carousal.  I  drank  rather  less  than  my  com- 
panions ;  and  I  was  clear-headed  enough  to  perceive  that  they 
would,  nearly  all,  go  to  sleep  drunk,  and  get  up  late.  I 
thought  that  I  should  like  to  take  that  bear  home  to  my  family 
as  a  palpable  proof  of  my  success  in  hunting.  I  determined 
to  anticipate  the  rest  of  my  companions,  excepting  a  cousin 
of  mine,  named  Nino  de  Cando,  who  I  concluded  would  prove 
an  efficient  aid  in  the  hunt.  As  the  party  grew  drowsy,  I 
contrived  to  draw  Nino  aside,  to  rouse  him  to  perfect  conscious- 
ness, and  explain  to  him  my  object  and  plan.  He  immediately 
agreed  to  go  with  me. 

"  We  waited  till  our  companions  had  fallen  asleep  upon  the 
benches ;  then  cleaned  and  primed  our  carbines,  and  prepared 
ourselves  for  a  speedy  departure.  At  the  first  peep  of  day, 
we  left  the  inn,  noiselessly,  and  hurried  up  the  mountain  by 
the  ordinary  path.  But  although  we  advanced  rapidly,  we 
kept  our  eyes  keen  for  the  track  of  the  bear.  It  was  a  bitter 
cold  morning ;  and  we  could  only  keep  ourselves  comfortably 
warm,  by  rapid  motion.  Before  the  sun  showed  his  face  above 
the  eastern  plain,  we  were  far  up  among  the  snow  and  ice  of 
the  mountains.  We  neither  saw  or  heard  any  indications  that 
our  companions  of  the  previous  night  were  in  our  vicinity. 

"At  length  in  the  neighborhood  of  some  stunted  pines,  I  had 
the  satisfaction  of  catching  a  glimpse  of  a  bear's  foot-mark  on 

the  gleaming  snow.  Nino  saw  it  nearly  at  the  same  time,  and 

39* 


462  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

we  both  proceeded  to  trace  the  track  with  great  eagerness, 
yet  with  caution.  My  cousin  was  not  an  experienced  hunter, 
but  he  was  a  good  shot,  and  had  a  reputation  for  courage.  I 
did  not  doubt  that  he  would  prove  an  efficient  aid  in  case  of 
a  contest. 

"  We  had  not  long  to  follow  the  foot-marks.  They  led  up 
the  mountain  over  some  jagged  and  frightful  masses  of  ice. 
Suddenly,  as  we  came  to  a  clump  of  pines,  by  the  side  of  se- 
veral peaks  of  snow,  we  were  in  full  view  of  a  full-grown  black 
bear,  one  of  the  largest  and  fiercest-looking  I  had  ever  seen. 
He  was  standing  on  his  hind  legs,  and  snapping  at  the  limb 
of  a  pine,  near  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  which  seemed  to  be 
about  fifty  feet,  nearly  perpendicularly  down.  I  fired,  taking 
a  quick  aim,  and  was  surprised  to  see  the  bear  making  rapidly 
towards  me.  There  were  two  of  us,  and  to  run  would  have 
been  cowardly.  I  clubbed  my  carbine,  and  as  the  bear  came 
near  me,  aimed  a  tremendous  blow  at  his  head ;  but  he  dodged, 
the  carbine  was  twisted  out  of  my  hands,  and  before  I  could 
grasp  my  knife,  the  ferocious  animal  caught  me  by  the  shoul- 
ders. Meanwhile  Nino,  upon  whom  I  now  relied,  was  seized 
with  a  panic,  unaccountable  to  me.  He  stood  aghast.  He 
clasped  his  knife  in  one  hand,  but  let  his  carbine  drop.  I 
called  out  to  him,  to  fire  or  stab,  and  save  my  life ;  but  he 
made  no  movement  to  comply.  I  then  struggled  to  get  my 
knife  from  its  sheath.  The  bear  growled  fiercely  and  sank 
its  sharp  claws  deeper  into  my  flesh.  We  fell  and  rolled  over 
and  over  until  we  came  near  the  edge  of  the  precipice.  I 
shrieked  to  my  cousin  for  aid.  He  turned  and  fled  down  the 
mountain !  I  now  considered  that  my  end  was  near,  and  ceasing 
to  shout,  I  strove  to  get  loose  from  the  bear  or  clasp  my  knife. 
We  were  on  the  very  edge  of  the  precipice.  The  cold  drops 
came  on  myv  brow.  Thank  God  !  I  clasped  the  knife  free  of 
its  sheath,  and  drove  it  into  the  shoulder  of  my  foe.  He 
growled  more  horribly,  but  clasped  me  convulsively,  and — 
we  fell !  I  know  not  how  long  I  remained  unconscious.  When 


AN  ADVENTURE  IN  THE  PYRENEES.  463 

I  regained  my  senses,  my  companions  of  the  previous  night, 
were  bending  anxiously  over  me  ;  I  lay  by  the  side  of  the  bear, 
and  my  knife  was  buried  to  the  hilt  in  its  breast ;  it  was  dead, 
and  I  was  saved,  though  bruised  and  torn  severely.  I  looked 
around  for  Nino — I  wanted  to  curse  the  coward.  He  was 
not  of  the  party ;  and  when  I  inquired  for  him  they  said  they 
had  not  seen  him  since  the  night  before.  When  I  told  them 
how  he  had  acted,  they  threatened  to  punish  him  for  his 
cowardice. 

"  The  bear  was  mine,  of  course.  But  I  gave  my  companions 
some  of  its  flesh  for  conveying  myself  and  it  back  to  the  inn. 
For  some  months  afterwards,  Nino  dared  not  show  his  face. 
When  he  did  make  his  appearance,  he  kneeled  at  my  feet  and 
begged  my  forgiveness,  saying  that  his  panic  was  altogether 
unaccountable  to  himself,  and  that  he  would  do  anything  I 
might  command  to  test  his  courage  and  affection.  He  seemed 
sincere,  and  I  forgave  him.  From  inquiries  made  after  my 
bear  adventure,  I  was  induced  to  believe  that  bolder  men  than 
Nino  had  occasionally  been  seized  with  a  panic.  We  cannot 
account  for  the  freaks  of  poor  human  nature." 

The  story  of  Vasquez  de  Cando  was  listened  to  with  much 
interest.  Narciso  thought  it  worth  another  bottle.  After 
this  had  been  drained,  and  the  conversation  had  become  some- 
what confused,  the  party  retired  for  the  night.  Early  the 
next  morning  Donna  Costanza  and  Narciso  resumed  their 
journey. 


the  6iroco(Hie« 


HERE  is  an  instance  of  the  advantage  which  the  reason  of 
man  gives  him  over  a  fierce  and  powerful  animal,  much  larger 
than  himself,  even  though  that  man  be  an  uneducated  savage. 
Look  at  the  crocodile,  in  this  picture,  and  tell  us  whether  you 
would  like  to  go  up  to  him,  all  armed  as  he  is,  in  his  coat  of 
mail,  with  his  immense  mouth  set  thickly  with  sharp  teeth, 
and  his  fiery  eyes  glancing  furiously  at  you  !  Yet  the  negro, 
(464)  ' 


HUNTING  THE  CROCODILE.  465 

on  the  coast  of  Africa,  takes  a  long  knife  in  his  right  hand, 
and  wraps  a  thick  cloth  round  his  left,  and  goes  into  the 
reedy  swamps  on  the  borders  of  the  rivers,  in  search  of  this 
terrible  animal.  The  crocodile  rushes  at  him  with  open 
mouth,  but  he  thrusts  his  covered  arm  between  its  jaws  in  a 
moment.  The  teeth  cannot  pierce  through  the  thick  folds 
of  the  cloth,  so  that  his  arm  only  gets  squeezed  a  little,  and 
before  the  creature  can  disengage  itself,  the  man  quickly  cuts 
its  throat  with  his  sharp  knife. 

Mr.  Waterton  tells  an  amusing  story  of  his  riding  an  alli- 
gator, which  is  another  species  of  the  crocodile.  He  caught 
one,  ten  feet  and  a  half  long,  with  a  strong  rope  and  a  hook. 
His  people  proceeded  to  drag  it  on  shore,  while  he  waited 
near  the  water's  edge,  with  a  pole  in  his  hand  ready  to  push 
it  down  the  creatures  throat,  in  order  to  kill  it.  As  soon  as 
it  came  to  land,  however,  Mr.  Waterton  perceived  that  the 
the  crocodile  was  frightened,  and  taking  advantage  of  its 
terror,  he  dropped  his  pole,  and  instantly  leaped  upon  its 
back,  bestriding  it  as  if  it  had  been  a  horse.  He  then  seized 
its  fore  legs,  and  by  main  force  twisted  them  over  its  back, 
which  served  as  a  bridle.  The  crocodile  did  not  like  this,  and 
plunged  about  furiously,  lashing  the  sand  with  his  powerful 
tail ;  but  the  people  were  highly  delighted  with  the  sight,  and 
dragged  the  animal  and  his  rider  forty  yards  high  on  the  sand, 
its  jaws  was  then  tied  up,  and  its  fore  feet  secured  in  the 
position  in  which  they  had  been  placed ;  and  it  was  at  last 
killed,  and  taken  to  England. 

There  are  some  terrible  accounts  of  the  ferocity  of  alli- 
gators ;  the  following,  mentioned  by  Mrs.  Trollope,  is  very 
shocking : — "  It  is  said,  that  some  points  of  shis  dismal  river, 
(the  Mississippi,)  crocodiles  are  so  abundant,  as  to  add  to  the 
terror  of  their  attacks  to  the  other  sufferings  of  a  dwelling 
there.  We  were  told  a  story  of  a  squatter,  who  having 
'  located'  himself  close  to  the  river's  edge,  proceeded  to  build 
his  cabin.  This  operation  is  soon  performed ;  for  social  feeling 


466  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

and  the  love  of  whiskey,  bring  all  the  scanty  neighborhood 
round  a  new  comer,  to  aid  him  in  cutting  down  trees,  and 
in  rolling  up  the  logs,  till  the  mansion  is  complete.  This  was 
done :  the  wife  and  five  young  children  were  put  in  possession 
of  their  new  home,  and  slept  soundly  after  a  long  march. 
Towards  daybreak,  the  husband  and  father  was  awakened  by 
a  faint  cry,  and  looking  up,  beheld  the  relics  of  three  of  his 
children  scattered  over  the  floor,  and  an  enormous  crocodile, 
with  several  young  ones  round  her,  occupied  in  devouring 
remnants  of  their  horrid  meal.  He  looked  for  a  weapon,  but 
finding  none,  and  aware  that  unarmed  he  could  do  nothing,  he 
raised  himself  gently  on  his  bed,  and  contrived  to  crawl  from 
thence  through  a  window,  hoping  that  his  wife,  whom  he  left 
sleeping,  might  with  the  remaining  children,  rest  undiscovered 
till  his  return.  He  flew  to  his  nearest  neighbor,  and  besought 
his  aid :  in  less  than  a  half  an  hour,  two  men  returned  with 
him,  all  three  well  armed ;  but,  alas  !  they  were  too  late  ;  the 
wife  and  her  two  babes  lay  mangled  on  their  bloody  bed. 
The  gorged  reptiles  fell  an  easy  prey  to  their  assailants  ;  who, 
upon  examining  the  place,  found  that  the  hut  had  been  con- 
structed close  to  the  mouth  of  a  large  hole  almost  a  cavern, 
where  the  monster  had  hatched  her  hateful  brood." 

It  will  be  obsereed  that  in  this  account  Mrs.  Trollope  con- 
founds the  alligator  with  the  crocodile. 

What  is  most  remarkable  in  the  crocodile  is,  that  it  is 
covered  with  hard  and  thick  shelly  plates,  not  very  regular 
in  their  shape,  but  fitted  to  each  other.  On  the  under  parts 
of  the  body  these  are  much  softer,  so  as  to  be  easily  pierced 
with  a  knife,  but  on  the  back  and  sides  they  are  so  hard,  that 
it  is  said  a  ball  from  a  good  gun  will  not  penetrate  them. 
This  shelly  covering  gives  a  stiffness  to  the  animal,  which 
prevents  its  turning  very  easily,  so  that  the  best  way  to  escape, 
if  pursued  by  one  is  to  make  as  many  turns  as  possible. 


THE  porcupine  is  a  native  of  Africa,  and  is  also  found  in 
the  south  of  Europe  and  the  United  States.  The  quills  are 
prettily  marked  with  black  and  white  alternately,  and  are 
frequently  used  as  holders  for  steel  pens.  It  was  formerly 
believed  that  this  animal  had  the  power  of  shooting  its  quills 
at  its  enemies,  from  a  distance,  but  like  many  other  things 
reported  of  animals,  this  is  quite  untrue.  Those  which  are 
placed  upon  the  body,  are  usually  about  a  foot  long,  sharp  at 
the  point,  and  thickest  in  the  middle ;  they  commonly  lie 
nearly  flat ;  but  if  the  porcupine  be  alarmed  or  irritated,  it 
will  raise  the  spines  suddenly,  so  as  cause  them  to  stand  stiffly 
up  from  the  skin,  and  point  in  all  directions.  On  the  head 
and  neck,  there  is  a  crest  of  very  stiff  bristles,  which  arch 

(467) 


468 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


THE  PORCUPINE. 

backward.  The  quills  on  the  tail  do  not  run  to  a  point,  but 
are  open  at  the  end,  and  appear  as  if  they  had  been  cut  off. 
These  are  not  very  firmly  fixed  in  the  skin,  and  when  the 
creature  shakes  himself,  they  make  a  loud  rattling  noise. 

There  is  a  species  of  porcupine  found  in  Canada,  and  other 
parts  of  North  America,  which  climbs  trees ;  its  quills  are 
much  shorter  than  those  of  the  African  kind.  The  Indian 
women  use  the  quills,  when  split  and  stained  of  various  bright 
colors,  to  embroider  the  tobacco-pouches,  and  the  moccasins, 
or  deer  skin  slippers,  of  their  husbands ;  and  this  quill  work 
is  often  done  with  great  skill  and  ingenuity,  and  has  a  very 
pretty  effect. 

The  porcupines  are  all  very  harmless  animals ;  rather  dull, 
stupid  perhaps  ;  still,  if  they  do  no  good,  they  do  no  harm. 
They  sleep  all  day,  in  some  hole  dug  in  a  bank,  and  come  out 
at  night,  to  search  for  roots  for  food.  Their  sole  defence  from 


HUNTING  THE  PORCUPINE.  469 

fierce  wild  beasts,  consists,  in  their  prickly  covering ;  but  this 
is  quite  sufficient,  for  it  is  said,  that  when  a  porcupine  has 
bristled  up  his  spines,  even  the  lion  does  not  dare  to  attack  it. 
Bingly  states  in  his  pleasing  and  instructive  "  Animal  Biogra- 
phy," that  "the  late  Sir  Ashton  Lever  had  a  porcupine 
which  he  frequently  turned  out  on  the  grass  behind  his  house, 
to  play  with  a  tame  leopard,  and  a  large  Newfoundland  dog. 
As  soon  as  they  were  let  loose,  the  leopard  and  dog  began  to 
pursue  the  porcupine,  which  always  at  first  endeavored  to 
escape  by  flight ;  but  on  finding  this  ineffectual,  he  would 
thrust  his  head  into  a  corner,  making  a  snorting  noise,,  and 
raising  his  spines.  With  these,  his  pursuers  pricked  their 
noses  till  they  quarelled  between  themselves,  and  thus  gave 
him  an  opportunity  to  escape." 

Hunting  the  porcupine  with  dogs  is  a  ticklish  affair  as  an 
attempt  to  bite  the  animal  fills  the  dog's  mouth  with  the  quills. 
Mr.  Gumming  frequently  shot  porcupines  in  his  South  African 
expeditions  and  he  says  that  the  flesh  when  roasted  is  very 
palateable. 


BRAZILIAN  PORCUPINE. 
40 


Jigeir  Jfaifftyg  ir> 


BEAUTIFUL  in  appearance,  the  tiger  is  most  ferocious  in  dis- 
position ;  and  in  Upper  India,  to  the  jungles  of  which  district 
it  is  principally  confined,  it  is  regarded  with  terror  and  hatred. 
The  death  of  a  tiger  is  the  death  of  a  general  foe.  It  carries 
off  not  only  their  cattle,  but,  lurking  in  the  long  grass  through 
which  paths  are  cut  to  the  villages,  it  pounces  upon  the  people 
themselves,  and  carries  them  away  as  a  cat  would  carry  off  a 
mouse.  When  brought  to  bay  by  the  huntsman,  it  fights  with 
the  most  savage  fury,  and  not  unfrequently  leaves  fatal  proofs 
of  its  strength  and  ferocity.  Shakespeare  frequently  makes 
use  of  the  tiger,  as  typical  of  courage  and  wild  resolution. 

41  But  when  the  blast  of  war  blows  in  our  ears, 
Then  imitate  the  action  of  the  tiger  ; 
Stiffen  the  sinews,  summon  up  the  blood, 
Disguise  fair  nature  with  hard-favored  rage  : 

(470) 


TIGER  HUNTING  IN  INDIA.  473 

Then  lend  the  eye  a  terrible  aspect ; 

Let  it  pry  through  the  portage  of  the  head, 

Like  the  brass  cannon ;  let  the  brow  o'erwhelm  it 

As  fearfully  as  doth  a  galled  rock 

O'erhang  and  jutty  his  confounded  base, — 

Swilled  with  the  wild  and  wasteful  ocean. 

Now  set  the  teeth,  and  stretch  the  nostril  wide ; 

Hold  hard  the  breath,  and  bend  up  every  spirit 

To  his  full  height." 

The  average  size  of  the  tiger  is  from  about  three  to  four  feet 
in  height,  and  in  length  it  varies  from  six  to  nine  feet.  It 
generally  lies  in  wait  for  its  victim,  and  springs  upon  it  with  a 
fearful  leap ;  if  this  should  be  unsuccessful  it  sometimes  slinks 
off,  but  more  generally  pursues  the  affrighted  prey  with  a  speed 
that  is  almost  in  incredible.  The  Indian  buffalo  is  not  only 
borne  down,  but  also  carried  off  by  this  tremendous  beast. 
Various  devices  are  resorted  to,  to  destroy  this  formidable  foe. 
One  or  two  that  we  did  not  previously  mention  may  be  just 
named.  A  spring-bow,  which  discharges  a  poisonous  arrow, 
is  sometimes  laid  in  its  way,  the  tiger  letting  fly  the  arrow  by 
touching  a  cord  which  is  stretched  across  its  path.  Though 
the  wound  received  is  sometimes  but  slight,  yet  the  deadly  poi- 
son in  which  the  arrow  is  dipped  almost  always  insures  its  prov- 
ing fatal.  A  similar  plan  is  to  suspend  a  heavy  beam  over 
the  way  it  traverses,  connected  with  a  cord  which  lies  directly 
in  its  path.  Upon  touching  the  cord  down  comes  the  beam, 
and  the  animal  is  crushed  beneath  its  ponderous  weight.  Some- 
times single  individuals  have  gone  out  to  seek  the  tiger  in  his 
lair ;  and,  aided  by  the  deadly  rifle-gun,  have  come  off  victors. 
Some  time  ago,  an  officer  of  one  of  the  company's  regiments, 
who  had  become  famous  for  his  encounters  with  this  royal 
beast,  was  applied  to  by  the  natives  of  a  village  in  Upper  India, 
to  rid  them  of  a  large  tiger  that  had  for  a  long  time  infested 
the  neighborhood.  To  this  he  consented,  and,  attended  by  a 
single  Hindoo  servant,  watched  for  several  nights  on  the  banks 
of  a  small  stream  where  the  tiger  was  said  to  prowl.  But  it 

40* 


474  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

was  all  in  vain;  though  in  the  morning  time  they  could  see 
the  animal's  foot  prints  above  and  below  their  station,  yet 
they  could  never  catch  sight  of  the  beast  himself,  and  the  gen- 
tleman was  about  to  give  it  up  as  a  bad  job,  when  one  day  a 
native  came  hastening  to  his  abode,  to  tell  him  that  the  tiger 
was  abroad. 

The  animal  had  killed  a  small  cow  near  the  jungle,  and  had 
left  the  carcass  untouched,  a  sure  sign  that  he  meant  to  visit 
it  again.  The  officer  ordered  the  cow  to  be  drawn  a  little 
nearer  to  a  part  of  the  jungle  that  seemed  as  if  it  would  afford 
some  sort  of  screen.  As  evening  drew  on  he  took  up  his 
station  in  the  jungle,  close  to  the  tail  of  the  cow ;  and  ar- 
ranged his  servant,  and  a  Hindoo,  who  persisted  in  being 
present,  so  that  they  could  see  all  round,  and  were  in  no 
danger  of  being  attacked  behind  unawares.  The  night  set 
in  very  dark :  to  see  at  any  distance  was  impossible.  They 
watched  and  listened  till  midnight  came,  and  no  tiger.  At 
length  a  rustling  was  heard  amongst  the  jungle,  as  if  some 
heavy  beast  was  forcing  his  way  through  the  underwood. 

They  all  held  their  breath  to  listen  with  still  more  anxiety ; 
but  the  noise  had  ceased,  and  the  officer  began  to  think  that 
the  tiger  had  turned  aside ;  when  he  looked  up,  and  at  the 
head  of  the  cow,  within  a  yard  and  a  half  of  himself,  he  per- 
ceived the  dusky  form  of  the  huge  beast ;  his  paws  upon  the 
carcass  of  the  cow.  More  through  desperation  than  deliberate 
courage  the  rifle  was  raised  and  fired.  With  an  awful  roar, 
the  tiger  rushed  forward,  but  luckily  missed  the  spot  where 
they  lay  in  ambush.  Meanwhile,  terrified  out  of  their  senses, 
the  Hindoo  and  servant  clung  to  him  so  closely,  that  it  was 
impossible  to  prepare  for  another  shot.  A  minute  or  more 
passed  away,  and  they  heard  the  beast  fall  to  the  earth,  and 
groan  heavily.  They  felt  relieved,  and  listened  with  pleasure 
as  each  groan  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  and  indicated  that 
the  animal  was  expiring.  After  a  time,  one  of  the  attendants 
mustered  up  courage  enough  to  go  and  rouse  the  village.  The 


TIGER  HUNTING  IN  INDIA.  477 

people  soon  came  with  their  torches,  and  after  a  little  search 
the  monster  was  found  lying  stretched  out,  dead  on  the  ground. 
At  the  sight  of  him  the  natives  set  up  a  shout  of  joy,  and 
hailed  the  officer  as  a  real  benefactor.  Such  is  the  account 
of  shooting  a  tiger,  which  we  remember  to  have  met  with  some- 
where or  other.  Generally,  however  a  company  of  hunters 
join,  and  even  then  often  find  their  foe  quite  a  match  for 
them.  Our  engraving  represents  the  tiger  attacking  a  party 
of  Hindoos  in  their  boats.  The  river  has  flooded  over  the  low 
marshy  ground  adjoining,  and  compelled  the  wild  animals 
that  lurked  there  to  swim  for  their  lives.  The  natives,  taking 
advantage  of  this  event,  have  embarked  in  their  boats  to  spear 
the  surprised  antelopes,  as  they  are  struggling  in  the  water. 
When,  from  yonder  clump  of  palm  trees,  a  low  growl  tells 
them  that  other  beasts  besides  deer  have  been  caught  in  the 
flood.  Now  commences  the  dangerous  fray.  The  tiger  seeing 
that  he  is  discovered,  boldly  strikes  out  in  the  stream ;  he  is 
soon  overtaken,  and  a  spear  driven  deep  in  his  side.  With  a 
roar  of  furious  rage  he  turns  to  attack  his  foes ;  seizing  their 
boat  with  his  paw  he  bids  fair  to  upset  it,  and  plunge  its  crew 
in  the  water.  But  another  boat  has  reached  them  and  another 
spear  is  piercing  him.  As  he  turns  upon  his  new  foes  he  is 
again  attacked  behind ;  till  at  last  exhausted  by  swimming, 
fighting,  and  struggling,  he  is  slain  by  his  enemies. 

Fierce  and  rentless,  blood-thirsty  and  ferocious,  the  tiger 
is  but  too  fit  an  emblem  of  men  whose  lives  present  only  the 
records  of  cruelty  and  oppression,  whose  steps  are  marked  by 
blood,  and  whose  actions  are  stamped  with  savage  remorse- 
lessness — men  who  might  justly  apply  to  themselves  the  lines 
of  the  poet : — 

" my  intents  are  savage,  wild ; 

More  fierce   and  more  inexorable  far, 
Than  empty  tigers,  or  the  roaring  sea."   ' 

But  fierce  as  the  tiger  is,  a  few  cases  are  known  in  which 
they  have  been  tamed  and  have  exhibited  all  possible  signs 


478  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

of  affection ;  however,  they  are  not  to  be  trusted,  for  the 
natural  ferocity  of  their  disposition  often  breaks  out  most  in- 
opportunely and  fatally.  Sometimes  they  are  effectually 
cowed  by  the  wild  tempests  that  occasionally  sweep  over  the 
continent  of  India.  A  curious  anecdote  illustrating  this  is  to 
be  found  in  one  of  the  early  numbers  of  the  "Penny  Maga- 
zine." During  the  dreadful  storm  and  inundation  in  Bengal, 
in  May,  1833,  the  estates  of  Mr.  Campbell,  situated  on  the 
island  of  Sauger,  at  the  entrance  of  the  river  Hoogly  suffered 
so  greatly,  that  out  of  three  thousand  people  living  on  his 
grounds  only  six  or  seven  hundred  escaped,  and  these  princi- 
pally by  clinging  to  the  roof  and  ceiling  of  his  house.  When 
the  house  was  in  this  close,  crammed  state,  with  scarcely  room 
within  it  for  another  individual,  what  should  come  squeezing 
and  pushing  its  way  into  the  interior  of  the  room  but  an  im- 
mense tiger,  with  its  tail  hanging  down,  and  exhibiting  every 
other  symptom  of  excessive  fear.  Having  reached  the  room 
in  which  Mr.  Campbell  was  sitting,  he  nestled  himself  into  one 
of  the  corners,  and  lay  down  like  a  large  Newfoundland  dog. 
Mr.  Campbell  loaded  his  gun  in  a  very  quiet  manner,  and  shot 
him  dead  on  the  spot. 

Let  us  take  one  more  glance  at  the  mode  of  hunting  usu- 
ally pursued,  namely,  that  in  which  elephants  are  used. 
Equipped  in  the  usual  manner,  a  party  set  off  in  search  of 
the  tiger ;  in  passing  through  the  forest  they  started  wild 
hogs,  hog-deer,  and  antelopes  in  abundance,  but  at  none  of 
these  would  they  fire  ;  the  whole  of  their  charges  was  reserved 
for  a  different  foe.  They  passed  through  a  thick  wood,  and 
the  skill  with  which  the  elephant  made  a  way  through  it  was 
marvellous — breaking  some  branches,  bending  others,  uproot- 
ing small  trees  and  avoiding  large  ones,  they  seemed  en- 
dowed with  as  much  reason  as  man  himself.  At  length  the 
forest  is  cleared,  and  they  enter  an  open  space  of  marshy 
grass,  not  three  feet  high  :  a  large  herd  of  cattle  were  feeding 
there,  and  the  herdsman  was  sitting  under  a  bush,  when  just 


TIGER  HUNTING  IN  INDIA.  479 

as  the  former  began  to  move  before  them,  up  jumped  the  very 
tiger  they  were  seeking,  and  cantered  off  across  a  bare  plain 
dotted  with  small  patches  of  bush  jungle.  Only  one  bullet 
was  fired  at  him,  and  he  cleared  the  thick  grass  unhurt,  they 
pursuing  him  at  full  speed.  Twice  he  threw  them  out  by 
stopping  short  in  small  strips  of  jungles,  and  then  running 
back  when  they  had  passed ;  he  gave  them  a  very  fast  trot 
for  about  two  miles.  He  was  at  last  struck  with  a  bullet, 
and  crept  into  a  close  thicket  of  trees  and  bushes.  The  two 
first  sportsmen  passed  by  him,  the  third  one  saw  him  rising  to 
charge.  The  driver  of  this  gentleman's  elephant  had  dropped 
his  goad,  which  he  had  not  been  permitted  to  recover,  as  the 
elephant  had  become  irritated  and  unmanageable ;  he  appeared 
to  see  the  tiger  as  quickly  as  the  hunter,  who  had  only  time 
to  fire  once,  when  the  elephant  rushed  with  the  greatest  fury 
into  the  thicket,  and  falling  upon  his  knees,  nailed  the  tiger 
with  his  tusks  to  the  ground.  Such  was  the  violence  of  the 
shock,  that  one  of  servants  was  thrown  out,  and  a  gun  went 
overboard. 

The  struggles  of  the  elephant  to  crush  his  still  resisting  foe, 
who  had  fixed  one  paw  on  his  eye,  were  so  violent,  that  the 
hunter  had  to  hold  on  with  all  his  power  to  keep  himself  in  the 
houdah.  The  second  barrel  of  the  gun  went  off  in  the  scuffle., 
the  ball  passing  very  near  to  the  driver's  head.  At  length 
the  elephant  left  him  mangled  and  crushed,  but  not  quite  dead, 
and  some  of  the  hunters  firing  into  him,  killed  him.  It  was 
a  most  beautifully  marked  tiger. 

So  bold  and  daring  does  this  animal  become  under  the 
influence  of  hunger,  that  it  has  been  known  to  carry  away 
an  individual  from  the  midst  of  a  party  who  had  sat  down 
to  refresh  themselves  near  a  jungle. 


PYTHON  ATTACKING  A  DEER. 


tolfi} 


THERE  is  a  species  of  snake  called  the  python,  which  closely 
resembles  the  true  boa,  but  is  larger  and  more  terrible.  Py- 
thons are  found  in  India,  Africa,  and  Australia.  Wild  hogs, 
antelopes,  and  even  men  fall  victims  to  these  monsters.  They 
are  not  poisonous,  but  strangle  and  crush  their  large  victims 
by  powerful  compression.  The  ular  sawa,  or  great  python 
of  the  Sunda  Isles  is  said  to  exceed,  when  full  grown,  thirty 
feet  in  length.  But  the  pythons  of  India  have  excited  the 
most  dread,  by  their  awful  depredations. 
(480) 


41 


ADVENTURE  WITH  A  PYTHON. 


483 

- 


BOA  REPOSING. 

Some  years  ago,  an  Indian  ship  was  passing  near  the  Sunder- 
bunds,  and  the  captain  sent  a  boat  into  one  of  the  creeks  to 
get  some  fresh  fruit.  The  inhabitants  of  this  inhospitable  region 
are  few  and  miserable.  They  have  but  little  communication 
with  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  that  only  occurs,  when  passing 
vessels  send  to  purchase  some  of  their  fruits,  which  they  are 
chiefly  engaged  in  cultivating.  Having  reached  the  shore, 
the  crew,  six  in  number,  moored  the  boat  under  a  bank.  A 


484  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

lascar  was  left  to  take  care  of  it,  while  the  rest  of  the  party 
went  after  the  fruit. 

The  day  was  very  hot.  Not  a  breath  stirred  the  trees, 
whose  branches  overhung  the  water.  The  birds  had  sought 
the  cool  groves  farther  inland.  The  sky  was  without  a  cloud, 
and  like  burnished  brass — the  water  its  reflection.  The  air 
seemed  standing  still  and  panting  for  a  cool  breath.  The 
lascar  waited  patiently.  The  party  did  not  return.  Probably, 
they  were  forced  to  proceed  farther  than  they  expected.  A 
half-hour  passed  and  they  did  not  appear.  The  lascar,  made 
listless  by  the  intense  heat,  sank  down  under  the  seats  of  the 
boat,  and  gradually  yielded  to  the  soft  soothings  of  sleep. 
In  a  few  moments  after  lying  down,  he  was  dead  to  all  exter- 
nal things.  He  did  not  feel  the  heat. 

Suddenly,  the  head — eager  and  dreadful — of  an  enormous 
snake,  of  the  python  species,  peered  over  the  branch  of  a 
tree,  near  the  boat.  It  quickly  glanced  around,  as  if  to  assure 
itself  that  no  wakeful  foes  were  near,  and  slowly  stretched  its 
head  downward  towards  the  boat.  Good  heavens  !  the  lascar 
remains  unconscious  of  the  monster's  advance.  How  it  licks 
its  slimy  chops  in  anticipation  of  a  good  meal !  What  length  ! 
Many  feet  are  stretched  forward,  and  many  remain  coiled 
around  the  trunks  of  the  trees.  Its  skin  is  glossy,  variegated, 
and  very  beautiful ;  but,  oh  !  how  deadly  will  be  the  enormous 
folds !  It  has  reached  the  boat,  and  has  begun  to  coil  itself 
around  the  body  of  the  sleeping  lascar.  Its  jaws,  foul  and 
slimy,  are  extended  ;  its  forked  tongue  protrudes.  Soon  the 
coil  will  crush  the  bones  of  the  man.  A  yell  of  fear  and  sur- 
prise pierces  the  air.  The  lascar  awakes  to  feel  his  awful 
situation,  and  to  know  that  his  friends  have  arrived,  and  are 
at  work  for  his  deliverance.  A  portion  of  the  monster's  tail 
is  severed  with  a  hatchet,  and  he  lost  the  power  of  doing  mis- 
chief. The  poor  lascar  shrieks  to  his  companions  to  save  him. 

A  few  more  blows  with  oars  and  hatchets  and  the  serpent 
is  dispatched,  its  head  being  severed  and  thrown  into  the 


ADVENTURE  WITH  A  PYTHON. 


485 


water.  The  lascar  is  rescued,  and  is  but  slightly  bruised. 
Filled  with  joy  and  gratitude  he  embraces  his  preservers. 
Upon  measurement,  this  serpent  was  found  to  be  sixty-two 
feet  and  some  inches  in  length.  With  the  skin  and  some  of  the 
fat,  which  the  natives  esteem  for  its  curative  properties,  and 
the  fruit  which  they  had  purchased,  the  crew  of  the  boat  re- 
turned to  the  ship. 


MALAYS. 


JULES  GERARD  is  a  native  of  Pignan,  in  the  arrondissement 
of  Toulon,  where  he  was  born,  in  the  year  1817  ;  and  having 
embraced  the  profession  of  arms,  joined  the  3d  regiment  of 
calvary  in  the  French  army  of  Algeria,  as  a  volunteer,  on  the 
23d  June,  1842.  While  on  duty  in  this  country  he  had  lei- 
sure for  hunting,  of  which  he  was  remarkably  fond  ;  and  being 
induced  by  the  Arabs  in  his  neighborhood  to  hunt  the  lions 
which  troubled  them,  he  was  so  successful,  as  to  gain  their 
affections  and  the  title  of  Gerard,  the  Lion  Slayer.  The  fol- 
lowing narrative  was  communicated  by  himself  to  the  Journal 
des  Chasseurs,  published  in  Paris. 

I  knew  of  a  large  old  lion  in  the  Smauls  country,  and  be- 
took myself  in  that  direction.  On  arriving  I  heard  that  he 
was  in  the  Bonariff,  near  Batnah.  My  tent  was  not  yet  pitched 
(486) 


GEKARD,  THE  LION  SLAYER. 


GEBAKD,  THE  LION  SLAYER.  487 

at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  when  I  learned  that  he  was  at  the 
Fed-Jong,  where,  on  my  arrival,  I  found  he  had  gained  the 
Aures.  After  travelling  one  hundred  leagues  in  ten  days  in 
the  track  of  my  brute,  without  catching  a  glimpse  of  any  thing 
but  his  foot-points,  I  was  gratified  on  the  night  of  the  22nd 
of  August,  with  the  sound  of  my  lord's  voice.  I  had  established 
my  tent  in  the  valley  of  Ousten.  As  there  is  only  one  path 
across  this  thickly  covered  valley,  I  found  it  an  easy  task  to 
discover  his  track  and  follow  it  to  his  lair.  At  six  o'clock  in 
the  evening  I  alighted  upon  a  hillock,  commanding  a  prospect 
of  the  country  around.  I  was  accompanied  by  a  native  of  the 
country  and  my  spahi,  one  carrying  my  carbine,  the  other  my 
old  gun.  As  I  had  anticipated,  the  lion  roared  under  cover 
at  dawn  of  day ;  but  instead  of  advancing  towards  me,  he 
started  off  in  a  westerly  direction,  at  such  a  pace  that  it  was 
impossible  for  me  to  come  up  with  him.  I  retraced  my  steps 
at  midnight,  and  took  up  my  quarters  at  the  foot  of  a  tree 
upon  the  path  which  the  lion  had  taken.  The  country  about 
this  spot  was  cleared  and  cultivated.  The  moon  being  favo- 
rable, the  approach  of  anything  could  be  descried  in  every 
direction.  I  installed  myself  and  waited.  Weary,  after  a 
ride  of  several  hours,  over  a  very  irregular  country,  and  not 
expecting  any  chance  that  night,  I  enjoined  my  spahi  to  keep 
a  good  watch,  and  lay  down.  I  was  just  about  to  fall  asleep, 
when  I  felt  a  gentle  pull  at  my  burnous.  On  getting  up  I 
was  able  to  make  out  two  lions,  sitting  one  beside  the  other, 
about  one  hundred  paces  off,  and  exactly  on  the  path  in  which 
I  had  taken  up  my  position.  At  first  I  thought  we  had  been 
perceived,  and  prepared  to  make  the  best  of  this  discovery. 
The  moon  shed  a  light  over  the  entire  ground  which  the  lions 
would  have  to  cross  in  order  to  reach  the  tree,  close  to  which 
all  within  a  circumference  of  ten  paces  was  completely  dark, 
both  on  account  of  the  thickness  of  the  tree  and  the  shadow 
cast  by  the  foliage.  My  spahi,  like  me,  was  in  range  of  the 
shadow,  while  the  Arab  lay  snoring  ten  paces  off  in  the  full 


488  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

light  of  the  moon.  There  was  no  doubting  the  fact — it  was 
this  man  who  attracted  the  attention  of  the  lions.  I  expressly 
forbade  the  spahi  to  wake  up  the  Arab,  as  I  was  persuaded 
that  when  the  action  was  over  he  would  be  proud  of  having 
served  as  a  bait,  even  without  knowing  it.  I  then  prepared 
my  arms  and  placed  them  against  the  tree  and  got  up,  in  order 
the  better  to  observe  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  They  were 
not  less  than  half  an  hour  traversing  a  distance  of  one  hundred 
metres.  Although  the  ground  was  open,  I  could  only  see 
them  when  they  raised  their  heads  to  make  sure  that  the  Arab 
was  still  there.  They  took  advantage  of  every  stone,  and 
every  tuft  of  grass,  to  render  themselves  almost  invisible  ;  at 
last  the  boldest  of  them  came  up  crouching  on  his  belly,  to 
within  ten  paces  of  me,  and  fifteen  of  the  Arab.  His  eye  was 
fixed  on  the  latter,  and  with  such  an  expression  that  I  was 
afraid  I  had  waited  too  long.  The  second,  who  had  stayed  a 
few  paces  behind,  came  and  placed  himself  on  a  level  with, 
and  about  four  or  five  paces  from  the  first.  I  then  saw  for 
the  first  time  that  they  were  both  full-grown  lionesses.  I  took 
aim  at  the  first,  and  she  came  rolling  and  roaring  down  to  the 
foot  of  the  tree.  The  Arab  was  scarcely  awakened  when  a 
second  ball  stretched  the  animal  dead  upon  the  spot.  The 
first  bullet  went  in  at  the  muzzle  and  came  out  at  the  tail ; 
the  second  had  gone  through  the  heart.  After  making  sure 
that  my  men  were  all  right,  I  looked  out  for  the  second  lioness. 
She  was  standing  up  within  fifteen  paces,  looking  at  what  was 
going  on  around  her.  I  took  my  gun  and  levelled  it  at  her. 
She  squatted  down.  When  I  fired  she  foil  down  roaring,  and 
disappeared  in  a  field  of  maize  on  the  edge  of  the  road.  On 
approaching  I  found  by  her  moaning  that  she  was  still  alive, 
and  did  not  venture  at  night  into  the  thick  plantation  which 
sheltered  her.  As  soon  as  it  was  day  I  went  to  the  spot  where 
she  had  fallen,  and  all  I  found  were  blood-marks  marking  her 
track  in  the  direction  of  the  wood.  After  sending  the  dead 
lioness  to  the  neighboring  garrison,  who  celebrated  its  arrival 


DEATH  OF  THE  LION  AND  ESCAPE  OF  THE  ARAB. 


GERAKD,  THE  LION  SLAYER.  491 

by  a  banquet,  I  returned  to  my  post  of  the  previous  night. 
A  little  after  sunset  the  lion  roared  for  the  first  time,  but  in- 
stead of  quitting  his  lair,  he  remained  there  all  night,  roaring 
like  a  madman.  Convinced  that  the  wounded  lioness  was 
there,  I  sent,  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  two  Arabs  to  explore 
the  cover.  They  returned  without  daring  to  approach  it.  On 
the  24th,  there  was  the  same  roaring  and  complaining  of  the 
lion,  on  the  mountain  and  under  cover.  On  the  25th,  at  five 
in  the  evening,  I  had  a  young  goat  muzzled,  and  proceeded 
with  it  to  the  mountain.  The  lair  was  exceedingly  difficult 
of  access.  Nevertheless  I  succeeded  at  last,  by  crawling  now 
on  my  hands,  and  now  on  my  belly,  in  reaching  it.  Having 
discovered  certain  indications  of  the  presence  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  locality,  I  had  the  goat  unmuzzled  and  tied  to  a 
tree.  Then  followed  the  most  comical  panic  on  the  part  of 
the  Arabs,  who  were  carrying  my  arms.  Seeing  themselves 
in  the  middle  of  the  lion's  lair,  whom  they  could  distinctly 
smell,  and  hearing  the  horrified  goat  calling  them  with  all  its 
might,  was  a  position  perfectly  intolerable  to  them.  After 
consulting  together  as  to  whether  it  were  better  to  climb  up 
a  tree  or  clamber  on  a  rock,  they  asked  my  permission  to  re- 
main near  the  goat.  This  confidence  pleased  me,  and  obtained 
them  the  privilege  of  a  place  by  my  side.  I  had  not  been 
there  a  quarter  of  an  hour  when  the  lioness  appeared ;  she 
found  herself  suddenly  beside  the  goat,  and  looked  about  her 
with  an  air  of  astonishment.  I  fired,  and  she  fell  without  a 
struggle.  The  Arabs  were  already  kissing  my  hands,  and  I 
myself  believed  her  dead,  when  she  got  up  again  as  though 
nothing  was  the  matter,  and  showed  us  all  her  teeth.  One 
of  the  Arabs  who  had  run  towards  her  was  within  ten  paces 
of  her.  On  seeing  her  get  up,  he  clung  to  the  lower  branches 
of  the  tree  to  which  the  goat  was  tied,  and  disappeared  like 
a  squirrel.  The  lioness  fell  dead  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  a 
second  bullet  piercing  her  heart.  The  first  had  passed  out  of 
the  nape  of  the  neck  without  breaking  the  skull  bone. 


tyc  Ostriches  3i)d 


HUNTING  upon  the  plains  of  South  America  is  the  most 
exciting  sport.  But  it  requires  fine  horsemanship  and  sure 
skill  in  the  lasso,  or  noose,  which  is  thrown  over  the  head  of 
the  game.  Robertson,  an  English  traveller,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  his  hunting  adventures  upon  the  plains  of 
Paraguay. 

We  had  taken  three  braces  of  birds,  when,  an  ostrich  start- 
ing before  us,  Candioti,  jun.,  gave  the  war-whoop,  of  pursuit 
to  his  Gaucho  followers,  and  to  me  the  well-known  intimation 
of  "  Vamos,  Senor  Don  Juan."  Off  went,  or  rather  flew,  the 
Gauchos  ;  my  steed  bounded  away  in  their  company,  and  we 
were  now,  instead  of  tracking  an  invisible  bird  through  tufted 
grass,  in  full  cry  after  the  nimble,  conspicuous,  and  athletic 
ostrich.  With  his  erect  and  angry  eye,  towering  above  all 
(492) 


pf^fvyn^ 

OSTRICHES. 


42 


HUNTING  OSTRICHES  AND  HORSES.  495 

herbage,  our  game  flew  from  us,  by  the  combined  air  of  wings 
and  limbs,  at  the  rate  of  sixteen  miles  SKI  hour.  The  chase 
lasted  half  that  time  ;  when  an  Indian  peon,  starting  ahead 
of  the  close  phalanx  of  his  mounted  competitors,  whirled  his 
balos,  with  admirable  grace  and  dexterity,  around  his  head, 
and  with  deadly  aim  flung  them  over  the  half-running.  b;df- 
flying,  but  now  devoted  ostrich.  Irretrievably  entangled, 
down  came  the  giant  bird,  rolling,  fluttering,  panting  ;  and 
being  in  an  instant  dispatched,  the  company  on  the  field 
stripped  him  of  his  feathers,  stuck  them  in  their  girdles,  and 
left  the  plucked  and  mangled  carcass  in  the  plain,  a  prey  to 
the  vultures,  which  were  already  hovering  around  us.  We 
now  came  upon  an  immense  herd  of  wild  horses,  and  Candioti, 
jun.,  said,  "  Now  Senor  Don  Juan,  I  must  show  how  we  tame 
a  colt."  So  saying,  the  word  was  given  for  the  pursuit  of 
the  herd,  and  off,  once  more,  like  lightening  started  the  Gau- 
cho  horsemen,  Candioti  and  myself  keeping  up  with  them. 
The  herd  consisted  of  about  two  thousand  horses,  neighing 
and  snorting,  with  ears  erect  and  flowing  tails,  their  manes 
outspread  to  the  wind,  affrighted  the  moment  they  were  con- 
scious of  pursuit. 

The  Gauchos  set  up  their  usual  cry ;  the  dogs  were  left  in 
the  distance,  and  it  was  not  till  we  had  followed  the  flock  at 
full  speed,  and  without  a  check,  for  five  miles,  that  the  two 
headmost  peons  launched  their  balos  at  the  horse  which  each 
had  respectively  singled  out  of  the  herd.  Down  to  the  ground, 
with  frightful  somersets,  came  two  gallant  colts.  The  herd 
continued  its  headlong  flight,  leaving  behind  two  prostrate 
companions.  Upon  these  the  whole  band  of  Gauchos  now 
ran  in ;  lazos  were  applied  to  tie  their  legs ;  one  man  held 
down  the  head  of  each  horse,  and  another  the  hind  quarters ; 
while  with  singular  rapidity  and  dexterity  two  other  Gauchos 
put  the  saddles  and  bridles  on  their  fallen,  trembling,  and 
nearly  frantic  victims.  This  done,  the  two  men  who  had 
brought  down  the  colts  bestrode  them  as  they  still  lay  on  the 


496  THRILLING  ADVENTURES,  v; 

ground.  In  a  moment  the  lazos  which  bound  their  legs  were 
loosened,  and  at  th^  same  time  a  shout  from  the  field  so 
frightened  the  colts,  that  up  they  started  on  all  fours,  but 
to  their  astonishment,  each  with  a  rider  on  his  back,  rivetted, 
at  it  were,  to  the  saddle,  and  controlling  them  by  means  of  a 
never-to-be-dreamed-of  bit  in  his  mouth.  The  animals  made  a 
simultaneous  and  most  surprising  vault ;  they  reared,  plunged, 
and  kicked ;  now  they  started  off  at  full  gallop,  and  anon 
stopped  short  in  their  career,  with  their  heads  between  their 
legs,  endeavoring  to  throw  their  riders.  "  Que  esperanza," 
— "  vain  hope,  indeed  !"  Immovable  sat  the  two  Tape  In- 
dians ;  they  smiled  at  the  unavailing  attempts  of  the  turbu- 
lent and  outrageous  animals  to  unseat  them  ;  and  in  less  than 
an  hour  from  the  time  of  their  mounting,  it  was  very  evident 
who  were  to  be  the  masters.  < 

The  horses  did  their  very  worst,  the  Indians  never  lost 
either  the  security  or  the  grace  of  their  seats ;  till  after  two 
hours  of  the  most  violent  efforts  to  rid  themselves  of  their 
burden,  the  horses  were  so  exhausted,  that,  drenched  with 
sweat,  with  gored  and  palpitating  sides,  and  hanging  down 
their  heads,  they  stood  for  five  minutes  together,  panting 
and  confounded,  but  they  made  not  a  single  effort  to  move. 
Then  came  the  Gaucho's  turn  to  exercise  his  more  positive 
authority.  Hitherto  he  had  been  entirely  upon  the  defensive. 
His  object  was  simply  to  keep  his  seat  and  tire  out  the  horse. 
He  now  wanted  to  move  it  in  a  given  direction,  wayward, 
zigzag ;  often  interrupted  was  his  course  at  first,  still  the 
Gaucho  made  for  a  given  point ;  and  they  advanced  towards 
it,  till  at  the  end  of  about  three  hours  the  now  mastered 
animals  moved  in  nearly  a  direct,  line,  and  in  company  with 
the  other  horses,  to  the  questo,  or  small  subordinate  esta- 
blishment, on  the  estate  to  which  we  were  repairing.  When 
we  got  there,  the  two  horses,  which  so  shortly  before  had  been 
as  free  as  the  wind,  they  tied  to  a  stake  of  the  corral,  the 
slaves  of  lordly  man. 


THE  following  anecdote  is  illustrative  of  the  acuteness  of 
the  elephant's  sense  of  smell.  It  was  related  to  Sparrman  by 
a  hunter  of  the  name  of  Dirk  Marcus,  of  course  a  Dutchman. 
"  Once,"  says  Dirk,  "in  my  younger  days,  when  from  a  hill 
covered  with  bushes  near  a  wood  I  was  endeavoring  to  steal 
upon  an  elephant  to  the  leeward  of  me,  on  a  sudden  I  heard 
a  frightful  cry  or  noise  from  the  lee  side,  and  although  I  was 
at  that  time  one  of  the  boldest  elephant  hunters  in  that  country, 
I  must  confess  I  was  in  a  terrible  quaking,  so  much  so  that  I 
believe  the  hairs  on  my  head  stood  quite  erect.  At  the  same 
time  it  appeared  to  me  as  though  I  had  several  pails  of  water 
thrown  over  me,  without  my  being  able  to  stir  from  the  spot, 
until  I  saw  this  huge  creature  so  near  me  that  he  was  almost 

(499) 


500 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


on  the  point  of  laying  hold  of  me  with  his  trunk.  At  that 
instant  I  fortunately  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  take  to  my 
legs,  and  to  my  no  small  astonishment  I  found  myself  so  swift 
that  I  thought  I  hardly  touched  the  ground.  The  beast 
however,  was  pretty  close  upon  my  heels ;  but  having  at  last 
got  to  the  wood,  and  crept  away  from  him  under  the  trees,  the 
elephant  could  not  easily  follow  me.  I  am  quite  certain  that 
he  could  not  see  me  in  the  place  where  I  was  at  first,  and  that 
therefore  he  must  have  found  me  out  by  the  scent."  So  much 
for  the  escape  of  Dirk  Marcus,  the  Dutch  boor,  whose  story 
contains  a  good  deal  of  the  marvellous.  Indeed  it  is  not  an 
incurious  matter  in  the  history  of  mankind,  that  while,  upon 
all  ordinary  subjects,  the  Dutch  are  the  most  matter-of-fact 
people  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  they  are  the  greatest  romancers 
in  matters  of  adventure  and  of  natural  history  ;  and  it  is  pos- 
sible, indeed  probable,  that  more  unfounded  but  marvellous 
stories  of  this  kind  originated  with  the  early  Dutch  navigators 
than  with  any  other  people  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

But  even  Dirk  Marcus  was  probably  not  so  brave  an  ele- 
phant hunter  as  the  bushmen  of  the  Cape,  whom  the  Dutch' 
settlers  used  to  be  as  zealous  in  hunting  and  shooting  in  cold 
blood,  as  they  were  in  hunting  elephants,  or  in  carrying  on  a 
campaign  of  extermination  against  the  antelopes.  The  bush- 
men  not  only  shoot  elephants  with  their  poisoned  arrows,  but 
come  to  close  quarters  with  their  assagais  or  spears,  with  which 
they  stick  the  great  animal  all  over  till  he  is  bristled  like  a 
porcupine,  and  the  pain  often  causes  him  to  accelerate  his 
own  death ;  as  from  his  natural  instinct  of  falling  upon  and 
crushing  the  lion,  when  it  springs  on  the  hinder  part  of  his 
body,  he  fall  upon  the  spears,  and  by  this  means  pushes  them 
home  to  his  vitals.  When  the  inhabitants  of  one  of  the  kraals 
or  villages  of  these  rude  people  catch  an  elephant,  it  is  a 
day  of  as  much  joy  as  when  the  Greenlanders  capture  a  whale. 
The  flesh  of  the  elephant  is  cut  up  in  ribbons,  as  is  done  with 
beef  in  South  America,  and  in  many  parts  of  Old  Spain ;  and 


DIRK  MARCUS  AND  THE  ELEPHANT.  501 

this  elephant  beef,  by  being  suspended  in  the  open  air,  and 
dried  in  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun,  can  be  kept  for  a  conside- 
rable time,  and  is  said  not  to  be  very  unpalatable.  The  trunk 
is  an  especially  delicate  morsel,  because  the  muscles  in  it, 
though  very  numerous,  are  small,  and  much  more  delicate  in 
their  fibres  than  the  common  muscles  of  motion  in  the  body 
of  the  animal.  The  feet,  also,  are  very  much  prized,  though 
chiefly  on  account  of  the  cartilaginous  substance  on  the  soles. 
To  a  European,  however,  an  elephant  feast  would,  probably, 
be  but  a  sorry  meal. 

Independently  of  his  living  only  in  the  wild  state,  and  in- 
habiting woods  of  more  savage  character  than  those  of  Asia, 
there  is  a  sullenness  in  the  air  and  expression  of  the  African 
elephant.  His  head  is  carried  much  lower,  and  less  grace- 
fully than  that  of  the  Asiatic  species ;  and  the  apparent 
shortness  of  the  face,  the  want  of  squareness  in  the  outline, 
and  the  bullet-shape  of  the  cranium,  all  conspire  to  take  off 
from  him  that  expression  of  sagacity,  which  is,  probably,  more 
imaginary  than  real  in  his  oriental  congener.  The  greater 
size  of  tusks,  too,  in  proportion  to  that  of  the  animal,  tends  to 
increase  this  expression.  But  not  withstanding  all  these  dis- 
advantages of  appearance,  the  African  elephant  is  a  highly 
interesting  as  well  as  powerful  animal ;  and  one  almost  regrets 
that,  even  for  the  sake  of  bushmen  feasts  and  ivory  trinkets, 
he  should  have  been  hunted  down  with  so  much  assiduity  in 
those  wild  woods  which,  as  they  are  not  taken  possession  of 
by  civilized  man,  might  have  remained  as  birthright  pastures 
of  the  elephant.  In  consequence  of  this  there  are  now  few 
or  no  elephants  except  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
Cape,  though  in  the  woods  farther  to  the  north  they  are  still 
numerous. 


fyi}  qtfl 


IN  the-  northern  part  of  the  American  continent,  the  subter- 
raneous retreats  of  the  black  bear  may  be  easily  found  by  the 
mist  "which  uniformly  hangs  about  the  entrance  of  the  den,  as 
the  animal's  heat  and  breathing  prevent  the  mouth  of  the  cave 
from  being  entirely  closed,  however  deep  the  snow  may  be. 
As  the  black  bear  usually  retires  to  his  winter  quarters  before 
any  quantity  of  snow  has  fallen,  and  does  not  again  venture 
abroad  till  the  end  of  March  or  the  beginning  of  April,  he 
therefore  spends  at  least  four  months  in  a  state  of  torpidity, 
and  without  obtaining  food.  It  is  therefore  not  very  surpris- 
ing, though  the  bear  goes  into  his  winter  quarters  excessively 
502 


THE  INDIAN  AND  THE  BEARS.  505 

fat,  that  he  should  come  forth  in  the  spring  a  melancholy  pic- 
ture of  emaciation. 

The  hlack  hear  is  sometimes  destroyed  by  blocking  up  the 
mouth  of  the  cave  with  logs  of  wood,  and  then  suddenly  break- 
ing open  the  top  of  it,  they  kill  the  animal  with  a  spear  or  gun. 
This  method  is,  however,  considered  both  cowardly  and 
wanton,  as  the  bear  can  neither  escape  nor  offer  the  slightest 
injury  to  his  merciless  destroyers.  The  northern  Indians 
display  great  ingenuity  in  the  manner  in  which  they  throw 
the  noose  around  the  neck  of  this  animal ;  but  the  barbarous 
way  in  which  they  dispatch  him  with  the  hatchet  or  tomahawk 
after  having  drawn  him  to  the  top  of  his  hole,  has  little  in  it 
to  admire. 

Sometimes  he  is  caught  in  traps,  strong  steel  ones  chained 
to  a  tree  and  laid  in  a  path  which  has  been  partially  stained 
with  blood,  by  drawing  a  newly  killed  carcass  along  it.  At 
other  times,  a  noose,  suspended  from  a  strong  bough,  is  sub- 
stituted for  the  trap,  in  a  path  similarly  prepared.  The  bear, 
whose  sense  of  smell  is  exceedingly  keen,  always  follows  upon 
the  track  along  which  a  dead  animal  has  been  drawn,  even  al- 
though it  has  left  no  trace  perceptible  by  the  human  senses. 

The  common  mode  of  hunting  this  bear  is  by  two  or  three 
well-trained  dogs.  When  he  finds  that  he  is  pursued,  he  gene- 
rally pushes  forward  for  eight  or  ten  miles,  and  sometimes 
more,  in  nearly  a  straight  course.  But  when  the  dogs  come 
up  to  him,  he  turns  and  strikes  at  them  with  his  paws,  the 
blows  of  which  are  so  severe,  that  one  of  them,  taking  effect, 
would  instantly  fell  the  strongest  dog  to  the  ground.  The 
great  art  in  training  the  dogs  consists  in  teaching  them  to 
avoid  these  blows,  and  keep  harassing  the  animal  till  he  is 
exhausted.  When  that  is  the  case,  he  climbs  a  tree,  at  the 
root  of  which  the  dogs  remain  and  "give  tongue"  till  the 
hunter  makes  his  appearance.  When  the  hunter  appears,  the 
bear  drops  to  the  ground,  not  for  the  purpose  of  attacking 
him,  but  of  making  a  new  effort  at  escape  from  the  now  in- 

43 


506  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

creased  number  of  his  pursuers.  But,  as  he  is  heated  by  the 
effort  of  climbing,  and  by  the  fall,  though  bears  from  their 
form  and  also  the  nature  of  their  covering,  fall  with  much  less 
injury  than  any  other  animals  of  the  same  weight,  he  is  much 
more  annoyed  by  the  dogs  than  before.  This  makes  him 
take  to  a  tree  again  for  refuge.  He  then  climbs  as  high  as 
it  will  bear  him,  and  endeavors  to  conceal  himself  among  the 
thick  foliage.  The  hunter  now  strikes  against  the  trunk  of 
the  tree  as  if  he  were  felling  it,  which  soon  puts  the  bear  in 
motion.  He  makes  his  way  to  the  extremity  of  a  long  and 
lofty  branch,  at  which  he  draws  himself  partially  into  the 
form  of  a  ball,  and  drops  down  often  from  such  a  height  as 
that  he  rebounds  up  again  for  several  feet,  as  if  he  were  an 
elastic  substance.  He  rises  again  from  his  fall,  still  uninjured, 
and  seeks  safety  by  flight  as  before.  His  exertions  are,  how- 
ever, so  much  greater  than  those  of  his  pursuers,  that,  what- 
ever may  be  his  strength,  they  in  time  wear  him  out,  and  he 
is  ultimately  shot,  either  when  standing  up  to  give  battle  to 
the  dogs,  or  when  attempting  to  hide  himself  behind  the  trunk 
of  a  tree.  Such  is  the  mode  of  bear-hunting  where  there  are 
trees ;  but,  in  the  large  open  prairies,  he  runs  much  farther, 
and  the  hunt  is  one  of  greater  ardor,  unless  when  he  is  shot 
at  an  early  stage.  But,  if  the  marksman  is  not  skilful,  shooting 
is  rather  a  dangerous  matter  while  the  bear  is  unexhausted, 
as  the  pain  arouses  all  his  strength,  and  arms  him  with  the 
most  desperate  powers  of  revenge,  so  that  he  would  be  too 
much  both  for  dogs  and  hunter. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  the  Red  river,  the  grizzly  bears  are 
very  numerous.  The  chief  of  a  tribe  of  Indians  was  returning 
home  from  a  general  council,  and  had  lingered  behind  his 
men.  When  not  very  far  from  his  hut,  he  met  a  bear  and 
two  cubs,  and  knowing  the  ferocious  nature  of  the  animals, 
was  considerably  alarmed. 

They  were  so  close,  however,  that  he  could  not  escape : 
and  having  no  alternative,  he  attacked  them,  thinking  that 


THE  INDIAN  AND  THE  BEARS.  507 

if  he  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  shoot  the  mother,  he  might 
succeed  in  killing  the  cubs  with  the  butt-end  of  his  gun.  He 
therefore  took  aim,  but  the  gun  missed  fire,  although  he  had 
put  in  a  new  flint  that  morning ;  and  before  he  could  cock 
again,  the  bear  rushed  upon  him,  and  struck  him  such  a  blow 
with  one  of  her  paws  as  to  throw  him  the  distance  of  several 
yards.  She  then  ran  up,  and  seizing  his  head  in  her  mouth, 
stood  still.  He  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  grasp  her  throat, 
and  with  a  sudden  wrench  rescued  his  head  from  her  jaws  ; 
but  while  he  was  striving  to  choke  her,  one  of  the  cubs  struck 
down  his  arm,  when  fortunately  he  remembered  that  he  had 
stuck  a  knife  into  his  girdle  behind.  This  he  drew  with  the 
quickness  of  thought ;  but  while  in  the  act  of  striking  the 
bear  with  it,  the  same  cub  caught  his  hand  in  its  mouth  and 
held  it  fast.  He  seized  the  knife,  however,  with  his  left  hand, 
and  wounded  the  old  bear  in  several  places,  until  becoming 
exasperated,  she  struck  him  down  senseless.  When  he  re- 
covered from  his  swoon,  he  found  himself  alone,  with  his 
bowels  partly  protruding,  and  both  his  temples  lacerated.  He 
bound  in  his  intestines  with  his  belt,  and,  after  staying  the 
bleeding  of  his  many  wounds,  raised  himself  with  difficulty, 
cocked  his  gun  and  began  to  move  slowly  away.  But  he  had 
not  proceeded  ten  steps,  when  the  bears,  which  had  been 
watching  him  all  the  time,  sprung  upon  him. 

His  gun  snapped  once  more,  and  he  was  entirely  at  their 
mercy.  The  mother  again  knocked  him  down  with  her  paw, 
and  seizing  him,  dragged  him  along,  when,  from  loss  of  blood 
and  the  concussion  of  the  last  blow,  he  fainted.  On  regaining 
his  sensibility,  he  bound  up  his  wounds,  and  believing  himself 
injured  beyond  recovery,  became  inspired  by  revenge,  and 
resolved,  to  die  in  the  attempt  to  destroy  some  of  his  savage 
foes.  With  great  difficulty  he  got  on  his  feet,  cleaned  the 
flint  of  his  gun,  drew  his  knife,  and  looking  round,  stood 
resolved  to  conquer  or  perish. 

The  bears  rushed  upon  him.     Unable  to  take  aim,  he  drop- 


508 


THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 


ped  on  one  knee,  and  supported  his  gun  on  the  other,  when 
the  old  bear  seizing  the  muzzle  in  her  mouth,  he  drew  the 
trigger  and  shot  her  dead.  The  cuhs,  however,  remained, 
and  they  were  scarcely  less  dangerous,  as  very  little  strength 
now  remained  in  him.  However,  he  succeeded,  after  inflicting 
several  wounds,  in  driving  them  off,  and  sunk  down,  despairing 
of  ever  rising  again  but  having  lain  for  some  time,  he  found 
himself  slightly  refreshed,  and  succeeded,  in  crawling  to  his 
hut,  where  he  related  what  had  befallen  him,  and  bidding 
farewell  to  his  family  laid  himself  down  to  die. 

His  friends  went  in  search  of  the  bears,  and  found  the 
mother  dead,  and  the  grass  all  round  clotted  with  blood.  The 
cubs  were  traced,  and  having  been  severely  wounded,  were 
easily  destroyed.  The  mangled  Indian  having  enjoyed  a 
sound  sleep,  for  several  hours,  awoke  greatly  refreshed,  and 
having  been  pursuaded  to  allow  his  wounds  to  be  bound,  ulti- 
mately recovered. 


A  HUNTER  IN  THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS. 


iif)  Sfyeep. 


THE  following  account  is  taken  from  Mr.  Sage's  "  Scenes 
in  the  Rocky  Mountains."  During  our  stay  we  succeeded  in 
killing  five  mountain  sheep.  Some  of  these  were  very  large 
and  quite  fat.  The  flesh  of  this  animal  is  equal  in  flavor  to 
that  of  buffalo.  It  is  generally  in  good  order,  tender  and 
sweet,  and  slightly  assimilates  our  common  mutton  in  taste. 
The  habits  and  appearance  of  the  mountain  sheep  resemble 
those  of  no  other  animal. 

They  select  for  their  favorite  habitation  the  rugged  fast- 
nesses of  wild  and  inaccessible  mountains.  In  the  cold  of 
winter,  they  descend  to  some  of  the  numerous  valleys  that  so 
beautifully  diversify  the  scenery  of  these  regions,  where  the 
verdure  of  spring  so  rarely  fades  ;  and,  as  the  warm  season 
advances,  they  commence  their  return  towards  the  lofty  snow- 
peaks,  keeping  even  progress  with  spring  and  fresh  flowers 
along  the  mountain-sides. 

Theirs  is  a  life  of  unbroken  spring  —  beauty  and  grandeur 
are  their  dwelling  place,  —  and,  'mid  the  awe-inspiring  subli- 
mity of  nature's  works,  is  their  home.  They  gambol  upon 
the  fearful  verge  of  the  steep  cliff,  or  climb  its  perpendicular 
sides,  bidding  defiance  to  all  pursuers.  There,  secure  from 
enemies,  they  rear  their  young,  and  teach  them  to  leap  from 
crag  to  crag  in  mirthful  gaiety,  or  traverse  the  dizzy  heights 
in  quest  of  the  varied  sweets  of  changeful  spring. 

These  animals  are  remarkably  acute  of  sight,  and  quick  of 
scent  and  hearing.  The  least  noise  or  tainture  of  the  air  ex- 
cites their  attention  and  places  them  instantly  upon  the  alert. 
Mounting  upon  some  high  rock,  they  will  stand  for  hours  in 

(511) 


512  THRILLING  ADVENTURES. 

the  same  posture,  gazing  in  the  direction  of  the  fancied  danger, 
If  fully  satisfied  of  its  reality,  they  abandon  their  position  for 
another  and  .a  safer  one,  high  among  more  rugged  peaks,  and 
and  often  beyond  the  possibility  of  offensive  approach.  Their 
hue  is  so  akin  to  that  of  the  rocks  which  grace  their  range, 
they  are  with  difficulty  identified  when  standing  motionless, 
and  the  hunter  is  constantly,  liable  to  mistake  the  one  for  the 
other. 

In  size  the  mountain  sheep  is  larger  than  the  domestic 
animal  of  that  name,  and  its  general  appearance  is  in  every 
respect  dissimilar — excepting  the  head  and  horns.  The  latter 
appendage,  however,  alike  belongs  to  the  male  and  female. 
The  horns  of  the  female  are  about  six  inches  long,  small, 
pointed,  and  somewhat  flat, — but  those  of  the  male  grow  to 
an  enormous  size.  I  have  frequently  killed  them  having  horns 
that  measured  two  feet  and  a  half  or  three  feet  in  length,  and 
from  eighteen  to  nineteen  inches  in  circumference  at  the  base. 

These  ponderous  members  are  of  great  service  to  their  owner 
in  descending  the  abrupt  precipices,  which  his  habits  so  often 
render  necessary.  In  leaping  from  an  elevation  he  uniformly 
strikes  upon  the  curve  of  his  horns,  and  thus  saves  himself 
from  the  shock  of  a  sudden  and  violent  concussion. 

The  color  of  these  animals  varies  from  a  yellowish  white  to 
a  dark  brown,  or  even  black.  A  strip  of  snowy  whiteness 
extends  from  ham  to  ham,  including  the  tail,  which  is  short 
and  tipped  with  black. 

Instead  of  wool,  they  are  covered  with  hair,  which  is  shed 
annually.  Their  cry  is  much  like  that  of  domestic  sheep,  and 
the  same  natural  odor  is  common  to  both. 

It  is  extremely  difficult  to  capture  any  of  them  alive,  even 
while  young, — and  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  make  them  live 
and  thrive  in  any  other  climate  than  their  own.  Hence,  the 
Mountain  Sheep  has  never  yet  found  a  place  in  our  most  ex- 
tensive zoological  exhibitions. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


29NOV61LU 


REC'D  LO 


LD  21A-50m-8,'61 
(Cl795slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


VC   12157 


